WHY did you start vaping?

[b-Rain]

I am so grateful to be vaping. Both my daughters would always ask me "Daddy, why do you keep smoking all the time?" and it broke my heart every time. I despised smoking, but continued because of how it made me feel at ease and gave me a break from reality everytime i lit up.

Luckily i had a good friend of mine who was into vaping for about a year, and i would take a few drags off of his mod when I'd see him. Most of the time I would just whorde his because i liked the feeling of the vaping and I was always curious about what new flavor he had in that contraption. And it DIDN'T STINK!!!

So one day I told him i was serious about vaping, still not set on quitting the analogs, but I wanted to give it a shot. So him and I were on the phone looking at a bunch of different mods, and he was "schooling" me on the Vaping world. We got to one mod and he asked me if that seemed like a goot fit for me. It seemed pretty easy to use, and not too intricate like his were, so I said yea that'll do. Come to find out he actually had that mod and the whole set-up and just gave it to me with a few bottles of eliquid and some cardo's and the rest is history.

So if you have friends that still puff analogs, do push vaping on them. Let their own curiosity bring them to it, and educate them on it, let them try it and support them.

 

[Hokus]

I had wanted to quit for a while but never really had a reason to, then my wife and I found out that we were expecting out first child and that was a real kick in the .... to stop smoking.

 

[MrMadCarpenter]

I hadn't even planned on quitting when I first looked into electronic cigarettes. I got some jasper and jasper disposables from a newsagent to stop me chain smoking for five hours during our dungeons and dragons game.

The disposables weren't great, but they proved the concept to me so I went online and found a world of possibilities. I quit accidentally on October 1st: I realized on October 2nd that I hadn't smoked in over a day, and having heard that it takes three days to quit, I pushed through.

One week after quitting I was gritting my teeth, unable to sleep, so I buckled and smoked a cigarette. It was so awful I didn't even finish it. Haven't touched a cigarette since, and very happy with vaping.

 

[scott58]

I was at almost 3 packs a day and I'd get to the top of the stairs and be wiped out. Now I get to the top of those same stairs and don't even think about it.

 

[redg8r]

Smoked since I was 12, tried everything but prescription alternatives. been almost 2 weeks analogue free and feel SO much better already. Didn't really need another hobby, but this is working so well for me.

 

[ardvaark]

I quit smoking because of the cost savings. 5 bucks a day verses pennies.

Peter

 

[maverik]

took up vaping (and quit smoking) for health reasons as most of us here did.

 

[MMarie]

I accidentally quit smoking.

I got my first 808s because I was dreading a long car ride where I couldn't ask the driver to stop every hour so that I could have my nicotine fix. Within a week, I was off analogs and vaping exclusively.

 

[surgewse]

I wanted to be able to smoke minty fruit juice. If there had been analogs that tasted like my juices I don't know if I'd have swapped.

 

[Spanner]

I've been smoking for 45 years. My MD was the one preaching to me to quit smoking every time I had to see him. I'm not in the best of health, but I'm not sick by no means. I'm diabetic. However, every vist for Rx renewals, I would hear the proverbial "Did you quit smoking yet"?

I kept telling him that I really enjoyed smoking and outside of the health risks, I personally saw no reason to stop this enjoyment. Well, the last visit (September 2012) I got the usual question "Did you stop smoking yet"? Of course I gave him my complementary answer: No, I enjoy it too much to quit.

He then out of nowhere told me about this "electronic cigarette" thing and said go try it and see if you like it. So the idea sat in the back of my mind for a few weeks.

I was at my usual tobacco shop and they had a display of electronic cigarettes at a cheap price. Some unknown brand that I still haven't seen any more. So I picked up 2 of them to try. After the first 1/2 hour of vaping, I realized, I had no urge for a cigarette! I then started investigating things on the internet and went with a Halo System. As my other posts, I wanted more and I'm very happy with my Joytech eGo system!

I haven't had a tobacco cigarette since the first week of September. I don't even have an urge, but the only way you'll pull the atomizer out of my hands is if I'm cold and dead! LOL! I love the variety of flavors. I'm currently hooked on Caramel Macchiato, 7 Leaf Tobacco Blend, Carolina Blend Tobacco, Chocolate Strawberry (Great for after dinner!) and Juicy Fruit (That Juicy Fruit makes me want to start chewing the end of my cartridge! YUM!)

 

[tdavids]

I started vaping yesterday I have two adult children, one grandchild and another one on the way. I want to go to thier graduations, weddings etc. I bought a disposable and liked it as an alternative today I bought a rechageable and some cartos.

 

[scand]

To quit dipping. My gum line has receded, and I was (and still am) terrified of oral cancer.

 

[Xpertpeye]

I wasn't allowed to smoke at work anymore, PAD smoker, 10hr shift, wasn't going to be pleasant. Bought a disposable, liked it. Went to a vape shop got a Ego twist and some Halo torque56 24mg and realized I could actually quit smoking and not be miserable. 26 days now, with no desire to smoke. I am very thankful to everyone in this forum, especially the people who took the time and had the vision to start this thing!

 

[Shenton]

i start vaping ever since i had a daughter. Now my family is so happy tat my car doesnt smell anymore. haha

 

[kwewu]

Couldn't afford cigarette's any more. They're $10 per 20-pack here.

 

[COHgirl]

I started vaping because I hated the smell of smoking on me.

 

[GrapeJamAndFIsh]

I think for me it's not so much the nicotine addiction, in fact i've never really had any sort of nicotine withdrawal. I think I was more addicted to the process of smoking rather than what was in the cigarettes. I love smoking because it's social, relaxing and provides you with a temporary escape to clear your head in many situations. So switching to ecigarettes was a no-brainer for me really, I could keep all the things i loved about smoking and avoid all the bad. Best decision I ever made too. Love watching the smoke/vapor too, and nothing beats being able to smoke big clouds in a windless room .

 

[annamaaae]

I've been smoking since i was 15, 19 now, and i'm starting to smoke more and more (half a pack a day and more), i want to quit while I'm still young. I like hooka as well and i just thought this was the best way to combine both without the harmfull effects of it. I'm not so much addicted to the nicotine that's in it but more of the habit of having a cigarette.

I know that 2013 will be a better and healthier life for me. I have yet to pick up my first e-cigarette but I'm really hoping it will work while my smoking isn't so bad yet.

 

[Jhojho]

I started vaping to try to quit smoking (40 cigarettes a day)
I tried many ways and amazingly after 2 days I have not touched a cigarette more
now i am a happy follower of the motto "Smoking is a bad habit, vaping is a hobby"

 

[Katdarling]

The Electronic Cigarette kept finding me.

I initially heard about it from a stranger at a bar. As I stood around smoking (chain smoking), I giggled at it. About 6 months later, an acquaintance showed me one, and I humored her and gave it a puff. I held that e cig in one hand and my ciggie in the other. Again, giggling all the way home. Silly people, silly fake cigs.

The third encounter (which proved the theory of 3 times a charm) was an email sent to me by a friend who was concerned about my devastating long term 2 pad habit. My reaction to his email? ANGER. I LOVED smoking and I LOVED my cigs. I had no desire whatsoever to stop. Yes, I knew it would take me and in my quiet moments, I could feel the effects of this almost life-long habit on my body.

My anger prompted me to jump online and start doing a bit of research on this electronic gadget. That's how I saw it... as a gadget, a toy, and certainly not something that could aid people in stopping the habit of smoking! NO WAY.

Research lead to more hours of research, which lead to MORE hours of research. Fully engulfed in the idea of the e cig, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a couple of kits, but only to PROVE it WRONG. I knew there was simply no way this little battery operated toy was going to be a replacement for my "best friend".

10 short days later, I smoked my last 1/2 cig (yes, I saved halves, and please don't cringe, but I also smoked 'em down to the filter. Yuck!!!). As I tossed it out, I knew, I really knew, that was my last cigarette. I cried big tears. Those tears were a mixture of the loss of a best friend, and the tears of joy that it actually was possible for me to stop smoking. I was in a bit of shock for a long, long time.

Wow, that was almost 2 years ago. There are some days I still can't believe that I have not touched or puffed on a cigarette. Most every one that knows me also shares in that disbelief. And we all celebrate my success on a daily basis.

I'm so incredibly happy that my journey lead me here, to ECF, to share stories and experiences with fellow travelers. Thank you all!