I am posting this to encourage everyone to write & challenge those who don't get it (wherever in the world you live), to continue to promote vaping on the ground and also to say to those of you who are struggling or not sure if vaping is for you - please, please persevere.
I smoked for 38 years and in Feb 2013 found the miracle of vaping and after a few weeks of 'the morning one' haven't touched a cigarette since. My husband of 33 years continued to smoke a pack a day. I tried to tempt him with various set ups and although nothing worked I was sure I would be able to convert him eventually. In April this year at the age of 56 he finally vaped - for 12 days in between being diagnosed with throat cancer and having a major operation to remove his larynx and part of his pharynx and right thyroid. He first noticed a lump at the end of February - we thought it might be swollen glands - he will now breathe through a hole in his neck for the rest of his life and will neither smoke or vape. (It is technically possible to smoke through this hole but I am relieved he does not see this as an option). Hopefully after chemo and radiation he will survive. I have no idea if I will pay the price for the 38 years I smoked at some time in the future - my husband is paying for the 37 years he smoked now.
There is currently a glimmer of hope in the UK as many bodies - most importantly the Royal Society of Physicians - are now understanding the important part vaping can play in eradicating tobacco smoking. It has been a long, long road and it is still only just the beginning - it may well turn out to be too little too late. The TPD will be implemented (and the UK played a big part in this in Brussels), the regulations will seriously undermine the efficacy of vaping and there are still far too many junk science reports, misunderstandings and lack of actual knowledge and research by those who make decisions and frankly should know better. I have signed petitions and written too many letters to count over the last 3 years - to the media correcting uninformed reporting, to MP's and MEP's (and along with others was accused of 'astro-turfing' when expressing opinions on the TPD) and to bodies such as Cancer Research to challenge their negative stance etc. It has been a frustrating journey - and it is one which continues - but your voice will make a difference even though it may seem pointless at times. Watching the discussion in the House of Lords made me realise that although it's not quickly enough there has been a massive shift of opinion in the U.K. I remember writing to Lord Ridley a few years ago to thank him for his voice of reason in a sea of indifference and ignorance. I know he was inundated by emails and he has been a huge vocal supporter ever since. Sometimes we have to accept baby steps in the absence of long strides.
Like many of you I am fully stocked and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me vaping for the rest of my life. I shall continue to fight for those who haven't stockpiled, are currently smoking or dual using and those who take it up in the future to have the same access I had to the miracle of effective vaping products.
I hope one day those responsible for all the wilful misrepresentation will be held responsible but I am not sure if that will ever happen - I hope at the very least they have to acknowledge to themselves the number of deaths and illnesses they have contributed to by their stance. I will not be able to post much over the next few months as I need to support my husband and help him recover and literally get his voice back (he currently cannot speak until he has his 'new' voice which will be via a speech valve and come from the opening in his throat). I will however still be using my 'old' voice to challenge and inform wherever I can and will be standing beside you all in the upcoming & ongoing struggles. Tell your stories, thank people for their support, challenge misrepresentation and refuse to be silenced even if it seems pointless. Many whispers will eventually become a roar.
I smoked for 38 years and in Feb 2013 found the miracle of vaping and after a few weeks of 'the morning one' haven't touched a cigarette since. My husband of 33 years continued to smoke a pack a day. I tried to tempt him with various set ups and although nothing worked I was sure I would be able to convert him eventually. In April this year at the age of 56 he finally vaped - for 12 days in between being diagnosed with throat cancer and having a major operation to remove his larynx and part of his pharynx and right thyroid. He first noticed a lump at the end of February - we thought it might be swollen glands - he will now breathe through a hole in his neck for the rest of his life and will neither smoke or vape. (It is technically possible to smoke through this hole but I am relieved he does not see this as an option). Hopefully after chemo and radiation he will survive. I have no idea if I will pay the price for the 38 years I smoked at some time in the future - my husband is paying for the 37 years he smoked now.
There is currently a glimmer of hope in the UK as many bodies - most importantly the Royal Society of Physicians - are now understanding the important part vaping can play in eradicating tobacco smoking. It has been a long, long road and it is still only just the beginning - it may well turn out to be too little too late. The TPD will be implemented (and the UK played a big part in this in Brussels), the regulations will seriously undermine the efficacy of vaping and there are still far too many junk science reports, misunderstandings and lack of actual knowledge and research by those who make decisions and frankly should know better. I have signed petitions and written too many letters to count over the last 3 years - to the media correcting uninformed reporting, to MP's and MEP's (and along with others was accused of 'astro-turfing' when expressing opinions on the TPD) and to bodies such as Cancer Research to challenge their negative stance etc. It has been a frustrating journey - and it is one which continues - but your voice will make a difference even though it may seem pointless at times. Watching the discussion in the House of Lords made me realise that although it's not quickly enough there has been a massive shift of opinion in the U.K. I remember writing to Lord Ridley a few years ago to thank him for his voice of reason in a sea of indifference and ignorance. I know he was inundated by emails and he has been a huge vocal supporter ever since. Sometimes we have to accept baby steps in the absence of long strides.
Like many of you I am fully stocked and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me vaping for the rest of my life. I shall continue to fight for those who haven't stockpiled, are currently smoking or dual using and those who take it up in the future to have the same access I had to the miracle of effective vaping products.
I hope one day those responsible for all the wilful misrepresentation will be held responsible but I am not sure if that will ever happen - I hope at the very least they have to acknowledge to themselves the number of deaths and illnesses they have contributed to by their stance. I will not be able to post much over the next few months as I need to support my husband and help him recover and literally get his voice back (he currently cannot speak until he has his 'new' voice which will be via a speech valve and come from the opening in his throat). I will however still be using my 'old' voice to challenge and inform wherever I can and will be standing beside you all in the upcoming & ongoing struggles. Tell your stories, thank people for their support, challenge misrepresentation and refuse to be silenced even if it seems pointless. Many whispers will eventually become a roar.
