Quitting Smoking

[oltoot]

Just luck, but I could vote never; however, having been through it with my wife, I do have some observations: First comes motivation, for MW I begged her for years to no avail but when the kids got big enough to beg and cry (which I had nothing to do with) that did it. Next face up to the reality of being an addict which thankfully won't last for long, then come all the physical habits and associations that went along with it. Busy hands, no smoking please signs, removing all the ash trays (yes the decorative and commemorative, too), a little dab of 'tough love' from significant others, next and potentially final is reward and recognition, appreciation demonstrated. We started with the little steps and soon went to annual and eventually dropped it. That was ~35 years ago and for some time now my wife and her sense have been offended to say the least, which seems to signal victory. "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I'm free at last" MLK

[Stephenpuhakish]

Now I'm by no means an expert on quitting smoking, though in my 15 years as a tobacco addict I have quit several times, once for over 2 years.

For the first several attempts it was cold turkey, and I had some success, 2 years smoke free at one point. However I never really wanted to quit, I did it for my girlfriend(now wife). Later on I tried the patches, and the gum but with little success.

My latest attempt(going very well, 6 months in) is using an ecig. Now I realize this is more replacing the habit than quitting however, I have weaned myself from 28 mg e liquid down to 7(nicotine content). The next step is no nicotine at all.

To those who are behind the ecig movement, it's a step in the right direction but it's not quitting. You're replacing one habit with another. True, ecigs are thought to be less harmful, but it's still an addiction and no addiction is good. However just because there aren't many laws specifically pertaining to these devices, doesn't mean you have no obligations to others. If someone asks you not to use it around them, be respectful just as you would with your cigarettes.

To those who oppose this new wave of smokeless nicotine addicts, whatever your claims against them, how about a little understanding? Would you berate the person using methadone to get off of heroin? I'm sure we can all agree that smoke is more bothersome and harmful than vapor(though some people have shown reactions to the propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin that comprise the bulk of the liquid. Other ingredients are nicotine and flavourings). The tests that have been done so far have been largely biased, funded by tobacco companies or subsidiaries and their testing is quite flawed. Most testing has been done on the cigalikes, the cheapo gas station things you find everywhere now. Sadly these are not representative of the mainstream user. Most people who go to vaping (ecigs don't smoke they only produce vapor), use what's known as a Mod. A larger device, not even close to resembling a cigarette. The advantage of this is the user can choose flavor, nicotine content, pg/vg blending, etc. And, you can choose where to source your liquid or to make your own. This is the main difference. Those prepackaged cigalikes are largely made outside of country and imported, with quality control and safety not being an issue. It's like buying your hamburger from McDonalds vs making your own.

As a user of one of these products (last 6 months)and someone who smoked cigars(and I mean smoked, full inhale) I can only attest to what my personal experiences are:

I no longer have a smokers cough

No more shortness of breath or occasional chest pains

No more bringing up phlegm

My leather items no longer have that stink about them

I've rediscovered my sense of smell(and boy is it working overtime)

My fingers have no more staining

My wife no longer complains of the smell(she doesn't even complain about the black liquorice flavour I use and she hates liquorice)

The cost of vaping vs smoking. Vaping I've spent less than $200 on my equipment and liquid over 6 months, vs $100 a week on cigars

Oh and to top it off, no withdrawal

Anyone who would like to discuss this in a reasonable and adult fashion, I welcome the conversation. To anyone trying to quit, I applaud any actions you take towards that end. To anyone who has issue with these devices, I welcome your feedback, as long as you are willing to enter a conversation with an open mind.

[LTC]

I have plenty of understanding for them as long as they don't use that stuff indoors. I cannot stress enough how badly an effect that stuff has on me. Apparently, no one seems to care about that though. The important thing is how much better your vices are for you...not any detrimental effect it has on others.

But keep citing your little "studies" and all. I'm really sure those aren't funded by those ecig companies, huh?

I have no pecuniary interest in any of this so do not have any reason to lie to you about the effect it has on me. It literally makes me cough as badly as if I had hay fever and I don't even have seasonal allergies.

Just because "they" say there aren't any I'll effects on people does not mean it's true.

Oh, and someone using methadone doesn't have any direct negative effect on me, so no...I don't give a crap about that. The ecig garbage does have a direct negative impact to me and yes, I will oppose it and do everything possible to get it regulated and banned in the same places regular tobacco smoking is banned. Every time someone tries to claim it has "no negative effects" on innocent bystanders, I will reiterate the negative effect it has on me.

Outdoors, I don't care what you do because I can choose not to be around you in favor of being able to breathe.

On a side note, I find it humorous how many people seek praise and congratulations from others for "quitting" (replacing) a horrible vice that they chose to begin in the first place...

[Stephenpuhakish]

I'm not praising anyone for quitting a habit they chose to start. Breaking an addiction however is different. It requires help and support to be successful. Whether an alcoholic chooses to attend AA, quit cold turkey, or go through another process, the important part is that they get the help they NEED. Addicts will justify things any way they can, saying it doesn't hurt others, whatever they have to do so they can keep going.

As far as the ecig companies funding studies you're way off the mark. They don't have the resources or the channels to get them published into mainstream media, but we all know how much money and pull those tobacco lobbyists have. The same tobacco companies that are losing customers to the ecigs are the ones who are pushing to ban them. In fact there is only one ecig made by a tobacco company, the rest are not affiliated. Coincidentally that ecig is also the only one with a television ad. Blü

As to these studies, I've actually read them and researched the issue. I'm not saying they have no ill effects on users or bystanders. I'm not even close to calling them safe. But, heck for all we know our iPhones and other smartphones are poisoning us, they have been around about as long and surprisingly enough there are fewer studies done on them than the ecigs.

LTC, While you seem to be stuck on your personal issues with these devices they are just that. YOUR ISSUES. I haven't heard of one other person with this issue, especially second hand vapor(I have heard of people with sensitivities to one ingredient but those people tweaked their ejuice to remove the offending culprit) If someone is using these around you, you have the right to ask them not to use it. But they have their right to use it' as long as it doesn't infringe on others. This isn't black and white. It's all grey.

Now you've said the vapor bothers you, understandable. Some people do have allergies to the pg or vg or various flavourings. So rather than outright saying the vapor is to blame, maybe we could discover your issue. Have you any allergies to food additives? Propylene glycol is a common food additive and if you do some research on it, you will discover it's the one of the ingredients in... asthma inhalers. Vegetable glycerin? It's a food additive too. If this vapor bothers you, have you ever been to a concert or haunted house with a smoke machine? Guess what, same stuff way bigger scale. Look on YouTube and you will see some idiots using smoke machines to vape with(pure idiocy unabashed and unbridled)

Personally diesel exhaust bothers me immensely (burning eyes, throat, coughing, trouble breathing etc)but I'm not calling for banning them. And when people park them next to doors with the engine running I don't have much choice about my air quality. Even these "cleaner diesels" with particulate filters do the same thing, be it a 600hp cat in a tractor trailer or a little tdi jetta

Judging by your previous comments in this thread, I would guess you were never a smoker, maybe have never struggled with addiction at all. If that's the case you are stronger than most. If it's not you have your own vices and I'm sure they've affected someone else at some point as well.

Now to be clear here, I'm not attacking you, your beliefs or anything of the sort. But let's step back from the issue and look at something else. When automobiles were first invented, do you know how many people were against the noisy smoking creations? How many people tried to ban them from the streets so they could keep using their horses and buggies? How many pedestrians got hit? Without some painful growth and experience, anything new can be demonized.

What's being debated here is largely subjective and opinion based. I have a quote on opinions, not entirely proper but it goes something like this, "Opinions are like butts. Everyone has one, and everyone thinks theirs doesn't stink." Basically opinions are feelings, largely based on experience rather than fact and as such, no opinion can be decidedly right or wrong.

On a final note I support your right to those opinions, and commend you for sticking with them. However one persons bad experiences with a device does not constitute a need for banning them. That would be akin to lobbying to ban glasses because sometimes I get a glare from the lenses, since people could just wear contacts instead. I applaud you for asking people not to use them around you. As for me, I've always tried to be polite with anything that may bother someone else, it's only common courtesy(sadly not so common any more). I fully support others rights to not be subjected to things(like cigarette smoke or vapor) against their will. I don't use mine anywhere I wouldn't have smoked.

[LTC]

TLDR

[Stephenpuhakish]

I have plenty of understanding for them as long as they don't use that stuff indoors. I cannot stress enough how badly an effect that stuff has on me. Apparently, no one seems to care about that though. The important thing is how much better your vices are for you...not any detrimental effect it has on others.But keep citing your little "studies" and all. I'm really sure those aren't funded by those ecig companies, huh?I have no pecuniary interest in any of this so do not have any reason to lie to you about the effect it has on me. It literally makes me cough as badly as if I had hay fever and I don't even have seasonal allergies.Just because "they" say there aren't any I'll effects on people does not mean it's true.Oh, and someone using methadone doesn't have any direct negative effect on me, so no...I don't give a crap about that. The ecig garbage does have a direct negative impact to me and yes, I will oppose it and do everything possible to get it regulated and banned in the same places regular tobacco smoking is banned. Every time someone tries to claim it has "no negative effects" on innocent bystanders, I will reiterate the negative effect it has on me.Outdoors, I don't care what you do because I can choose not to be around you in favor of being able to breathe.On a side note, I find it humorous how many people seek praise and congratulations from others for "quitting" (replacing) a horrible vice that they chose to begin in the first place...

"I will oppose it and do everything possible to get it regulated and banned...."

Funny in one post you're willing to go the distance and do everything possible and 2 hours later you can't be bothered to read a post because it's too long.

Everything possible should include, but not be limited to educating yourself on the issue and having the decency to participate in an adult discussion or debate, as well as trying to see from all points of view. You're hiding behind a screen name and spouting trash. Maybe you have a legitimate claim against ecigs bothering you, maybe not, but at this point you've just removed all credibility you may have had.

[LTC]

Yeah, it really doesn't matter to me whether you believe me or not. I know how that crap affects me and that's all that matters to me.

I am done with this. I can only waste so much time having pointless conversations with addicts that are only interested in furthering their addictions.

Have fun.

[raysouth]

In response to the comments above, I believe that the answer to the situation is simply, "TO EACH, HIS/HER, OWN".

God Bless you all.

[mike miller]

I quit 32 years ago. I had a stressful job and smoked 2 packs a day. Woke up one morning and went to work, having trouble climbing stairs. Went to the ER and they told me I had a collapsed lung and got to spend 4 days in the hospital with a tube between my ribs on a vacuum bottle.

Told me it was spontanius and just happened.

Smoked my last one on the way out to the hospital that morning.

[Erystawi]

Hello, I've quit in the past using nicotine gum, and other nicotine replacement (no el-cig) but started again. This time now soon 1,5 years free from smoking, I quit with the help of snus. Yes, snus is nicotine, but no more inhaling and damaging the lungs! Snus is common in Norway, Sweden, Finland. Breathing freely is why I wantet quit smoking. Have a nice day!

Eva from Norway.