A Miracle?

[Ojdo73]

Hi, Bill.

Awesom post. Just awesom.
Welcome to EFC and congrats on your sucsess.
My smoking career was not as long as yours (havent even LIVED as long as that yet) but I did smoke a pack a day for about 25 years, and I hear ya. Hitting my 11 week mark come monday (slightly proud of that).

And I agree on the whole goverment/taxmoney thing. I'm a Sweede, so I'm used to paying a lot of taxes. And as a smoker (and a guy who enjoys the ocational drink, even more so). Dont know the number of smokers in Sweden at the moment, but it's safe to say that if they all quit, the goverment will loose a boatload of cash.

Keep your cool and vape on.

 

[Wiley e]

Hi Out of Stock
My mom has had coronary angioplastic surgery & lung cancer which was successfully operated on about 5 years ago. She managed to quit smoking a couple of times in her life (like most of us) but always returned to them (like most of us). I really hope we can get her to try this as I'm certain it will help her kick them for good. We've already lost my dad (heart attack), my father-in law (cancer) and mother in law (heart attack) and my younger brother (heart attack at 42). All smokers.
I know we can't live forever but my moms a survivor as you can see. I'd be nice to keep her around a little longer.

 

[Wiley e]

Hi Steve
I'm using the eGo. This is what my friend was using so it's what i tried. Since i started using this i've done a mountain of research on these products. I got lucky i guess as this unit supplied me with the nicotine hit i needed as well as enough vapour production to simulate actually smoking. I've read that some of the products can't produce enough vapour, most often because the battery does not generate enough current. The other thing I found is the length of time for drawing on the vapour. I like to draw on it for a long time, some of the devices are designed for short puffs only. I'm pretty certain that those products wouldn't have done it for me.

 

[Out of Stock]

Hi Wiley,
I feel the same way. My mom likes to work outside in her yard and I'm going to tell her how much she will benefit by switching to vaping. I think the older you get the less likely you look at the long term benefits. She's told me 'I've smoked all my life and it's not going to do me any good to quit now so why go through all the withdrawal symptoms. (But it's not too late for you!)'. If I can get her to understand that the withdrawals are very minor compared to actually quitting she may change her mind.

Good luck with your mom. Let me know how it goes!

 

[Wiley e]

Congrats on being smoke free!
As far as the politics go... keep in mind, that the system will be loosing funds by less people smoking, but those people that did smoke, may still end up with the diseases associated with smoking. Pretty sure I'll catch flak for that comment.. but its truth.
The fact is... even if it costs the same, its still a better alternative...best to look at it that way, cuz it will eventually cost the same, or more than smoking.

Hi Mainevaper
I agree that the damage or at least a portion of the damage is done and cannot be undone. We do get healthier over a period of time after quitting but there does remain many questions as to what damage has already been done to heart, lungs, throat & digestive tract. My point is that if all (or most) of the revenue that's collected from cigarette taxation is "supposedly" earmarked for the health care industry in order to deal with me and the 4 million other sinners in our country why is it being spent now. It's supposed to be a user pay for what's coming. That's not what the revenue is being used for. In reality the money collected should be placed in trust till the health care system has need of it. Lets not kid ourselves, the revenues collected for sin taxes (booze and smokes) are exactly that, revenue. If I'm a sinner (smoke and drink) i don't have an issue paying the sin tax, as I stated. If i stop sinning then why should "I" still have to pay. The sin tax is for those of us who (in the publics/governments eye) are doing something that has absolute potential to lead to major disease. Of course if that were completely true then they should be charging atrocious taxation to anyone that eats at fast food outlets. Tell me that there isn't a looming crisis in north america for obesity. Who's going to pay for the 10s of millions of this generation obese kids/adults when they hit the health care system down the road. The vast majority of products sold in this industry are very unhealthy. Why is it that smokers and drinkers are targeted as the bad guys (taxation speaks volumes here! if you were to take a poll of people they will always say increases the taxes on those sinners). I for one am tired of being a target in the eyes of the "public" where I'm made to feel like a "sinner or criminal". I'm also tired of having a target on my pocketbook.
As I said in the original dialogue they (governments and public) don't want us to quit. Stop and think about that. They need or want the revenue, me and the 4 million other saps who got hooked on these cancer sticks, we're just collateral damage to them. That angers me!

 

[Wiley e]

With Canada's bans I was wondering how your planning to continue to vape? I think some, that live close enough to the border will drive down for supplies. Just curious as to how your going to do it?

Vape on! And enjoy!

Hi Grace and all the others that are wondering how we Canucks will manage to continue vaping. Even though Health Canada has banned the nicotine e-liquids here we still have access to it. It can't be shipped across the US-Canada border as customs will either seize it or send it back. You can however carry it across the border on your person or in a carry-on bag or a checked bag if your flying.
There are some brave souls here in canada that have "illegally" opened sites and shops that sell the e-liquids with nicotine. They are quite discreet about it so you do have to search around to find them. Funny the only product that has been banned is the nicotine. It's "legal" to sell any other e-cigarette products. I've ordered from 4 different sites here and they have been excellent.
Funny (or not) side-note, Google ads refuses to allow these folks to advertise and PayPal will not send money transfers if they are aware that it's being sent to one of these distributors. Makes you wonder!

 

[bnrkwest]

Congratulations! The freedom and satisfaction ecigs give is priceless. Vape on! bnrk

 

[DuaneNeveu]

Hey Bill,

Congrats and welcome! E-Cigs were all that ever worked for my father and I too.

Just wanted you to know, as I hope all Canadians will come to know...there's no actual "ban" in Canada, and Health Canada isn't exactly an enforcement arm even if such a set of laws existed. You are correct, however, about their circulating misleading or inaccurate information, to the extent that many Canadians are under the impression that a ban exists.

An episode EVERY Canadian should see:

 

[EpicMoma]

I am very happy for you. I share a similar story. I'm 42 years old and have smoked for 28 of them. And for a large portion of that time I smoked two packs a day. I smoked when I was pregnant. I hated myself for it, but I couldn't stop. Thank God all four of my baby boys were healthy and strong. I never seen myself as being able to quit ever. I figured I would be a little old lady with oxygen in my nose and a smoke in my hand. This has been a true miracle miracle for me as well. I have been able to get my sister, my son and his girlfriend off of smokes, but a lot of my family members look at me like I'm stupid. I really don't care. I will continue with better health and the pride that I have done it. Even when people look at me weird like I'm smoking a .... in public. Keep up the fight, we in the States will as well.

Just in case no one else has said it, " I am proud of you" EpicMomas

 

[HazMatt]

That was a great post, very inspirational. I'm new to vaping, Three Days In. So far so good, I've only had one carcinogenic, odious, cylinder of smok filled death since I started.

Vape on

 

[Wiley e]

Thanks Duane
that helped cleared up some of the misinformation. Of course health canada did this knowing full well that it would create this kind of confusion.
They will regulate this product and then the price we pay will skyrocket, because they will tax it just like tobacco products.
You would think the anti-smoking folks would endorse this or at minimum remain neutral? Does this not eliminate the primary issues that surround smoking? We will still be treated like criminals and sinners. tired of that!
I keep hearing that this is not a smoking cessation product. Funny, so what do you call a product that has helped me and i'm guessing thousands (if not 100 of thousands) of others to quit smoking when even though very few smokers even know it exists?

 

[Wiley e]

I am very happy for you. I share a similar story. I'm 42 years old and have smoked for 28 of them. And for a large portion of that time I smoked two packs a day. I smoked when I was pregnant. I hated myself for it, but I couldn't stop. Thank God all four of my baby boys were healthy and strong. I never seen myself as being able to quit ever. I figured I would be a little old lady with oxygen in my nose and a smoke in my hand. This has been a true miracle miracle for me as well. I have been able to get my sister, my son and his girlfriend off of smokes, but a lot of my family members look at me like I'm stupid. I really don't care. I will continue with better health and the pride that I have done it. Even when people look at me weird like I'm smoking a .... in public. Keep up the fight, we in the States will as well.

Just in case no one else has said it, " I am proud of you" EpicMomas

Thanks EpicMoma
It's funny how the other times i quit i felt a certain sense of pride in doing so. Of course it always wore off and i eventually fell prey to the stick. This time i don't feel that sense of accomplishment even though i've quit! I think that is a good thing because it's like nothing changed when in fact it has. I truly believe that with this i will never go back to smoking. i never really liked the taste of cigarettes and even less in the past year or two. I have to admit i actually enjoy this more than smoking. Go figure!
Wiley e

 

[The Ocelot]

Congratulations! I "accidentally" stopped smoking. I thought e-cigs were a gimmick, so I never considered it would change my habit, but I bought one to play with. I was shocked that after trying it I no longer wanted a cigarette. I don't think I quit smoking though, what happened was I found something I liked much more and it replaced smoking.

 

[jfango]

I truly believe that with this i will never go back to smoking. i never really liked the taste of cigarettes and even less in the past year or two. I have to admit i actually enjoy this more than smoking. Go figure!
Wiley e

Those are my sentiments too, and your story is "almost" a mirror image of my own, since I too started smoking when I was 10, then "came out" at 13 and began to smoke in my parents house, and smoked for exactly 45 years! I'm 55 now. The part that doesn't match is that I still haven't managed to convert anyone, not even my wife! Oh well, maybe someday. I also share your concerns about the government thugs getting their sticky fingers into our pockets, and we will most likely find ourselves having to fight for our rights before the issue of government regulation of this industry is over. The only thing I can add to this is my belief that all of us converts need to make every effort possible to increase our numbers as much as possible. It looks as though you've done quite well in that regard, and I congratulate you for all you've accomplished.

 

[FaceT1me]

Congarts i have been analog free for 2 month after 12 years of a pack a day.

 

[rlfull75]

Congratulations Mr. Bill on overcoming such a beast of a hurdle!!!

I have seen where places in the USA want to start taxation and implementing bans on vaping which by my opinion is a way to hinder our choices once more. I feel that this type of product should be ones choice as a viable method to quit smoking tobacco or as an alternative to continue smoking in general. As for myself I would not mind paying a normal tax percentage around 3-5% to have E-cigarettes to remain legal. I think that big name stores like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc... should start selling E-cigarettes starter kits, supplies, and fluid right next to the other stop smoking aids.

 

[Wiley e]

I take the stand that every smoker out there is a smoker who is trying to quit even of they don't know it yet. I didn't so much try to convince my relatives to try it as explain to them what it did for me, instantly. I made the transition to these things without so much as a hiccup. And hell if it works for me i'm pretty sure it'll work for almost anyone. what have they got to lose (except maybe any early grave) by trying it. the cost is relatively small compared to smoking (at least here in canada with smokes at $10-$14 a pack). a two weeks supply of smokes will get you set up for the transition and give you enough liquid to last a couple of months.
We all know the pitfalls to our health when we "choose" to smoke. I know that this product was a god send for me, relative to my health. i also know that i will probably continue vaping for as long as i live, because the alternative is back to cigarettes. I've been accused that i don't want to quit, nothing could be farther from the truth. I happen to know that i need the nicotine and i've accepted that. e-cigs allow me the benifit of continued access to nicotine without all the bad stuff in a cig. Good luck with your family I hope they eventually see the light. You of course will be the shining example of what can be done when they are ready!

 

[Wiley e]

Congratulations Mr. Bill on overcoming such a beast of a hurdle!!!
I think that big name stores like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc... should start selling E-cigarettes starter kits, supplies, and fluid right next to the other stop smoking aids.

I couldn't agree with you more. Right on!! of course it will likely never happen until the feds determine how to get their pound of flesh from us. We pay 1600 -1700% taxes on smokes in canada. i can't see them eagerly giving up on those big bucks

 

[noanaforme]

Thanks from a fellow Canuck...
Speaking of sinuses - have chronic sinusitis since starting smoking years ago and since starting e-cig haven't been bothered by sinus problems. I don't tolerate too much PG (sore throat, catches me when I am vaping, but I was using really mild menthol analogs before this so anything that hits me is too much so I dilute with 100% pure VG from big Health Food store and my e-juice lasts a lot longer and my throat is safe. Lots of vapour which is fine with me.

 

[pokerchick]

used to smoke for 40 years also, and it has been 11 months since I stopped.
congrats to us all.
although I sometimes, dislike the space all the bottles etc take up, but I can live with that
and do it a lot longer ha ha