Here is my testimonial (AKA how I started vaping). I was inspired to write it for the CASAA Tobacco Harm Reduction Stories Collection. Copy & pasted from there; It's a bit long-winded and kinda simplified, but I figure the intended audience is mostly non-vapers. Feel free to testify and share it here! 
I was a pack a day smoker for over 20 years and I really had no intention of quitting. I justified this by thinking, "Well, I'm pretty healthy, no apparent lung issues & I really enjoy smoking". This is fairly true, although I did get winded easily when running or swimming. The enjoyment of smoking was very real. Although the smell, general messiness and health risk of smoking was a turn off, to me it was worth it. I never considered using a patch or gum because I knew for me they could never replace the physical and mechanical ritual pleasure obtained from smoking.
Then I slowly became aware of electronic cigarettes. Started to notice them for sale in gas stations, drug stores & on the Boardwalk. Also, that Blu e-cigarette commercial began to grab my attention. One day I was in a local drug store and figured why not, I'll give an e-cig a whirl. I went back and forth between smoking and using disposable e-cigs (Krave & Logic mostly) for about two or three weeks. I was so impressed by how they satisfied my craving to smoke I decided to fully switch to e-cigarettes & began to research the different options on the internet. Mainly with information from the immensely helpful & knowledgeable people on the site http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com I decided to order a rechargeable e-cigarette model called Volt. Since I began to use the Volt I have not had a single cigarette. That was nine days ago and I have almost no desire to smoke traditional cigarettes. My sense of smell is already improving as well as my lung strength. I currently use 24mg and 18mg nicotine eliquid. I plan on stepping the nicotine level down to 0mg at my own pace, essentially ending my nicotine dependance. This would have been impossible for me with traditional cigarettes.
All in all, I am very happy with my decision & I actively encourage other smokers to try e-cigarettes. In my opinion e-cigarettes when used responsibly can change peoples lives for the better in many profound ways.
I was a pack a day smoker for over 20 years and I really had no intention of quitting. I justified this by thinking, "Well, I'm pretty healthy, no apparent lung issues & I really enjoy smoking". This is fairly true, although I did get winded easily when running or swimming. The enjoyment of smoking was very real. Although the smell, general messiness and health risk of smoking was a turn off, to me it was worth it. I never considered using a patch or gum because I knew for me they could never replace the physical and mechanical ritual pleasure obtained from smoking.
Then I slowly became aware of electronic cigarettes. Started to notice them for sale in gas stations, drug stores & on the Boardwalk. Also, that Blu e-cigarette commercial began to grab my attention. One day I was in a local drug store and figured why not, I'll give an e-cig a whirl. I went back and forth between smoking and using disposable e-cigs (Krave & Logic mostly) for about two or three weeks. I was so impressed by how they satisfied my craving to smoke I decided to fully switch to e-cigarettes & began to research the different options on the internet. Mainly with information from the immensely helpful & knowledgeable people on the site http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com I decided to order a rechargeable e-cigarette model called Volt. Since I began to use the Volt I have not had a single cigarette. That was nine days ago and I have almost no desire to smoke traditional cigarettes. My sense of smell is already improving as well as my lung strength. I currently use 24mg and 18mg nicotine eliquid. I plan on stepping the nicotine level down to 0mg at my own pace, essentially ending my nicotine dependance. This would have been impossible for me with traditional cigarettes.
All in all, I am very happy with my decision & I actively encourage other smokers to try e-cigarettes. In my opinion e-cigarettes when used responsibly can change peoples lives for the better in many profound ways.
