As a new forum member, I am somewhat uncomfortable in "spilling my guts" so to speak. I fully realize that this forum is heavily moderated, so you moderators can relax. For many years, I was an internet broadcaster and I witnessed things that most of you will never experience. You can trust me on this fact. I am on this forum for three reasons mostly. #1. I figure that this is a good place to glean helpful vaping information from. #2. I would like to create a support system for myself so that I do not go back to smoking USDA certified death sticks (those last words are supposed to be a joke) #3. If any of my posts can help other folks to kick the habit of commercial tobacco products, then this would make me feel somewhat useful.
I started smoking commercial cigarettes while I was serving with The United States Army during the Vietnam War. Is that an excuse? No. It is just the truth. The reasons do not really matter but you can trust me when I say that I had plenty of them, back during that time period. Once my tour of duty was completed, I clearly remember that my cigarette intake was no more than one half pack per day. That sure seems like a very long time ago. Very near 44 years to be exact. Since that time, I have managed to remain married to the same woman for forty years and we have raised two daughters and one son whom are all now in their thirty's. Through all of these years, I have experienced many trials and tribulations like we all do. I was medically evacuated out of Vietnam and have had to live with war injuries all of these years. I please beg your pardon, but your sympathy is not needed here. This would deter the purpose of this testimony.
Point being is that over the years, my cigarette addiction went from one half pack a day to just about two packs per day.
Because I am an adjudicated war veteran, I have had many, many medical experiences with The Veteran's Administration of this United States of America. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am ashamed to admit that the V.A., overall, has done a poor job of taking care of us Veterans. I am quite certain that some of you fine folks are aware of this fact. In my particular case, I have been harassed, preached at, scolded (ETC) concerning this nasty business of cigarette addiction. I have fought my own little war when it comes to this situation with the V.A. I have explained to them people, on numerous occasions, that this situation was/is "SERVICE CONNECTED". The fact of the matter is, they just do not care. Some of these people just need a way to justify what ever mickey mouse title that they hold within the structure of the V.A. system. I have seen this mess more times than I care to remember.
I have been down this entire horrid road of "smoking cessations", nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, CBT therapy, P.T.S.D. therapy and just on and on and on. Guess what? None of these things even remotely come close to "fixing tobacco addiction". Plain and simple as that. One great big expense for the American tax payer. This is precisely what the end result to all this nonsense is. Well to be very honest with you folks, over the years, I just became sick and tired of this circus act. Jumping through a bunch of government hoops and still NOT being healed of cigarette addiction. I have no idea how this situation looks in your mind's eye, but I have found all of this "stuff" to be a complete waste of time and money, to say the very least.
With the aid of a fellow Forum member (meaning here), I have been "cigarette free" for exactly two weeks. This forum member is my youngest Brother and he goes by the nick name of AXIOM_1. I am quite sure he would not mind me posting that information. It was through his many "tutoring sessions" that I was able to get hooked up with the correct vaping gear which has greatly aided me to remain cigarette free. If you think that I am just "making this stuff up", you had best think twice, my friend. What vaping has done for me, the U.S. Government could not. I would like you to consider those words for awhile very, very carefully.
Because, you see Ladies and Gentleman, I have no beef with anybody here on ECF. I have no unnecessary venting to do. I have no bone to pick. I have no anger to spill out. I seek no sympathy. I have no desire to be the class clown. But what I can do here is to state the fact that when Uncle Same needed me, back in 1971 and 1972, I rose to the "call of duty". I did not burn my draft card. I did not run to Canada. I was not a coward. Ladies and Gentleman, I have but yet just one more war to win. With pride in my heart, one day, very soon, I will be able to report into the V.A. system and tell them fools that > I HAVE WON. And by that, I mean my personal war with the addiction to communistic cigarettes. A habit that was started a very long time ago, in a far away land that Uncle Sam invited me to. This is my hope. This is my dream.
I thank you so very much for reading this account. Maybe, just maybe, I have touched a heart or two here. Please have a nice day
I started smoking commercial cigarettes while I was serving with The United States Army during the Vietnam War. Is that an excuse? No. It is just the truth. The reasons do not really matter but you can trust me when I say that I had plenty of them, back during that time period. Once my tour of duty was completed, I clearly remember that my cigarette intake was no more than one half pack per day. That sure seems like a very long time ago. Very near 44 years to be exact. Since that time, I have managed to remain married to the same woman for forty years and we have raised two daughters and one son whom are all now in their thirty's. Through all of these years, I have experienced many trials and tribulations like we all do. I was medically evacuated out of Vietnam and have had to live with war injuries all of these years. I please beg your pardon, but your sympathy is not needed here. This would deter the purpose of this testimony.
Point being is that over the years, my cigarette addiction went from one half pack a day to just about two packs per day.
Because I am an adjudicated war veteran, I have had many, many medical experiences with The Veteran's Administration of this United States of America. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am ashamed to admit that the V.A., overall, has done a poor job of taking care of us Veterans. I am quite certain that some of you fine folks are aware of this fact. In my particular case, I have been harassed, preached at, scolded (ETC) concerning this nasty business of cigarette addiction. I have fought my own little war when it comes to this situation with the V.A. I have explained to them people, on numerous occasions, that this situation was/is "SERVICE CONNECTED". The fact of the matter is, they just do not care. Some of these people just need a way to justify what ever mickey mouse title that they hold within the structure of the V.A. system. I have seen this mess more times than I care to remember.
I have been down this entire horrid road of "smoking cessations", nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, CBT therapy, P.T.S.D. therapy and just on and on and on. Guess what? None of these things even remotely come close to "fixing tobacco addiction". Plain and simple as that. One great big expense for the American tax payer. This is precisely what the end result to all this nonsense is. Well to be very honest with you folks, over the years, I just became sick and tired of this circus act. Jumping through a bunch of government hoops and still NOT being healed of cigarette addiction. I have no idea how this situation looks in your mind's eye, but I have found all of this "stuff" to be a complete waste of time and money, to say the very least.
With the aid of a fellow Forum member (meaning here), I have been "cigarette free" for exactly two weeks. This forum member is my youngest Brother and he goes by the nick name of AXIOM_1. I am quite sure he would not mind me posting that information. It was through his many "tutoring sessions" that I was able to get hooked up with the correct vaping gear which has greatly aided me to remain cigarette free. If you think that I am just "making this stuff up", you had best think twice, my friend. What vaping has done for me, the U.S. Government could not. I would like you to consider those words for awhile very, very carefully.
Because, you see Ladies and Gentleman, I have no beef with anybody here on ECF. I have no unnecessary venting to do. I have no bone to pick. I have no anger to spill out. I seek no sympathy. I have no desire to be the class clown. But what I can do here is to state the fact that when Uncle Same needed me, back in 1971 and 1972, I rose to the "call of duty". I did not burn my draft card. I did not run to Canada. I was not a coward. Ladies and Gentleman, I have but yet just one more war to win. With pride in my heart, one day, very soon, I will be able to report into the V.A. system and tell them fools that > I HAVE WON. And by that, I mean my personal war with the addiction to communistic cigarettes. A habit that was started a very long time ago, in a far away land that Uncle Sam invited me to. This is my hope. This is my dream.
I thank you so very much for reading this account. Maybe, just maybe, I have touched a heart or two here. Please have a nice day
One day at a time. As you move forward, you may at times smoke an occasional one but here you will not be hassled, harassed, or humiliated for it. It's not the ones you smoke that counts, it is the ones you don't. I have set up my father, who also served in the Army, with 2 batteries and a tank. He is a 57 year @ 2+ packs per day and now only has on average 1-2 smokes a day. That is a big step especially when he is one that does NOT plan to quit smoking. I would rather see him vaping this as well as he enjoys vaping unflavored ejuice more than smoking now. If you any questions, do not hesitate to ask as many great, friendly people here are willing to help out when ever possible. Happy Vaping!!! 
