!!! Thank-you All for Your Support !!!

[soulsister]

I posted something at the end of a thread where over 30 strangers left messages that boosted my confidence and willpower when I needed it. We so often take the time to complain but not necessarily the time to compliment. Don't think anyone saw my 'thank-you' post as this forum doesn't automatically subscribe you to a thread you contribute to.

! You guys need to know you're awesome !
(and you made a difference)​

Original thread titled: No Support At All for Quitting Because Using E-Cig

I wish I could reply to each and every one of you. Your support is touching and so helpful! I was oblivious to the controversy surrounding e-cigarettes and found both the health and legislation information links most interesting. Some of you made me laugh out loud and it's so good to hear that you guys are doing so well getting off tobacco! Congrats to all of you.

I've stopped talking about this to people as if I'm asking for their opinion and but rather as though I'm telling them how well I'm doing. That makes a big difference and finding all you other people who feel the same way has given me confidence.

It's day 5 and I've still only had two cigarettes since I began (on the first two days). There has been nothing which has made this as easy before ( patch, gum, etc.). For the first time I have a very good feeling about being able to become and remain tobacco free.

I will be recommending 'vaping' as a 'quit smoking aid' to anyone who is interested in quitting and now I'm also going to recommend coming to and joining this excellent forum as well! You people are such a wonderful tonic ... Thank you all so much for your kind and valuable support!!!

 

[pwheeler]

I read through your other thread and I just want to congratulate you on making a stand and doing what you feel is right for you. Unfortunately, there's so many out there who have fallen prey to the hype and propaganda being disseminated regarding vaping. I don't outwardly vape in public or talk about it unless I happen to chance upon someone who's looking at ecigs, or asks me about it. It's amazing to me how effective this mass misinformation has spread, and it saddens me to see smokers freely smoking outside somewhere and folks not giving it a second thought, but let someone be vaping and they think immediately that that person is a degenerate and probably smoking something illegal. I don't even really get support from my own wife. All of my support comes from my fellow vapers here at ECF. I don't need others to tell me whether vaping is good or bad. All I know is I've been smoke free for 8 months as of today, something that I thought would never happen after a 40 year 1-3 pack a day addiction. I feel so much better, smell better, and ecstatic about not donating any more of my hard-earned money to big tobacco. Keep up the good fight. You'll make it just fine.

 

[soulsister]

Wow - pwheeler - 8 months tobacco free after 40 years of serious smoking - I'm so happy for you! Just fabulous is what that is. It's such a HUGE change and sacrifice to better your health, pocket-book and environment that I don't understand how anyone can think it's a bad thing for you to be vaping. It IS scary how easily people's opinions can be manipulated and how opinionated people can be when they know very little about a subject. I'm beginning to better understand how Salem happened. Really. Bloody lemmings we are. You really don't vape in public? Well, it might be different where you live or you may have a profession where it looks particularly bad to be addicted to anything. I'm proudly vaping in public, with a tiny chip on my shoulder, thinking up intelligent-fact-filled-retorts beforehand and feeling prepared for disapproval. The more I read and the more support I get here the less angry I feel and more sympathetically I regard the nay-sayers as they really are behaving stupidly aren't they? It's not simply ignorance. It takes stupidity to voice a strong opinion on any subject of which you have no substantial knowledge. Hmmm.. maybe I am still angry, lol. Just to clarify - I think being addicted to nicotine-based vaping is vastly better for everyone than being addicted to tobacco smoking. I don't recommend anyone develop any new addictions - they're so hard to get rid of should you need to - however, there are far worse things to be addicted to than nicotine. Can't you show your wife a quick to read fact filled list of all the good things you are doing by vaping and not smoking? I see other people here who say their spouses don't support their switch and its sad. They 'should' be the most supportive. I think what you're doing, what we're doing, is fantastic! Big pat on the back for you!

 

[choochoogranny]

I'm with you, Soulsister! I'm mighty proud to have quit after 53 yrs. of smoking, and aint no dang, know nothing busybody gonna take proud away from me! I wave my "magic wand" with a certain panache everywhere I go.....Sorta daring them to say something. Geared up with information and ready to rumble!!

 

[M3CH M0D M4DN355]

Keep it up soulsister, you can do it! The e-cig is a controversial subject but I honestly think it is the best smoking cessation product since, well, ever!

I mean 40 year + smokers giving up thanks to e-cigs is borderline miraculous in my opinion.

Keep on vaping!

 

[Warpigs]

I smoked 2-3 packs of Marlboro Reds a day and chewed 2-3 bags of Red Man a week for 30+ years. I tried everything nicotine gum, patches, cold turkey. Nothing ever lasted more than a month or so. The day I got my set-up in the mail, I have not looked back at smoking/chewing. Just think to yourself the pros/cons of smoking. Most will say vaping is much healthier than smoking/chewing.

Keep up the good work and do what's best for YOU! Happy vaping my friend.

 

[Rat2chat2]

This is what makes ecf so special. . . the people that care.

 

[eratikmind]

Right on, SS.

You made the best decision for yourself and that is all that really matters. Have yourself a fantastic Vaping journey.

 

[Anjaffm]

Awwww that is so sweet

Many of us received help and encouragement when we needed it - so we like to pay it forward and give help and encouragement to new vapers who need it now

I'm with you, Soulsister! I'm mighty proud to have quit after 53 yrs. of smoking, and aint no dang, no nothing busybody gonna take proud away from me! I wave my "magic wand" with a certain panache everywhere I go.....Sorta daring them to say something. Geared up with information and ready to rumble!!

Same here.
I stopped smoking quite accidentally when starting up my 1st ecig which I had bought to cut down on smoking too much. I switched to the e-cig immediately because I had found something so much better than smoking: something that gives me all that smoking gave me, but without the detrimental effects of smoking. And especially of smoking too much. That was in November 2011. After 35 years as a heavy smoker. I love vaping. And I also dare anyone to give me crap about it

(addition:
Making the switch 100% immediately was no great achievement on my part. The time was right. And I was lucky. Everybody should take their own time and make the switch in their own way. Every cigarette not smoked is a great benefit for your health. And never mind some "public health" liars attempting to tell you otherwise).

 

[Sara Love]

You go girl!!! Every day gets a lil easier and we are here for you.

 

[amtseung]

I wish I could show more support, but there isn't much I'd do differently than all the others here on ECF.
Vape on and live strong!
Crap I made an unintentional Lance Armstrong reference. Don't dope, that's bad.

 

[MauHei]

I've been lucky to get much support except at the work place. Well and the wife should really be more supportive...Of my shinyitis (she rations me to only a few hundred a month, :fake gasp. Seriously though, it really was so easy when compared to the failed attempts with gum, etc, even chantix.