Over the years, my tobacco use increased. I didn't even realize it. From one or two cigars a day as a reward of sorts I, eventually, moved up to ten cigars a day on a rough day - to relax. Soon enough, that wasn't enough. I began to supplement my cigar usage with cigarettes. Yes, even though, in the thread linked above, I criticize cigarette usage so vehemently I began to smoke cigarettes. Because, you know, I wanted to "cut back".
A cigar, typically, contains as much nicotine and tar as a whole pack of cigarettes. I was smoking 10, at most, a day. I was also smoking about a half a pack of cigarettes.
Without even realizing it, I had become a heavy smoker.
My ability to breathe was affected. I began to snore. I smelled horrible - like ash and, on rainy days, wet tobacco. My breath was... well, "ash trayish". My family life was affected. I began to spend at least 30 minutes every hour or so outside instead of with my family.
It was, in hindsight, a horrible situation. One that seemed to sneak up on me.
Then, on November 28th last year, I entered a "Vape Bar" on a whim. I bought an e-cig for the first time for the amount of money I'd spend in two days on analog smokes. I was, immediately, hooked.
I never "lit up" another analog smoke again.
Aside from the, obvious, health benefits (as my lungs can finally begin to heal), I no longer smell horrible. My breath is so much better. I feel better than ever before. And, of course, now I can "vape" inside and spend more time with my family. As you can see, I've saved quite a bit of money as well.
This has all come with, of course, certain side effects that I had never heard of before. Nightmares. Horrible and terrifying nightmares about being chased by cigarettes and cigars; "cheating" by sneaking an analog smoke; and fighting with my fiance about smoking (we've never had an argument in our two years together). Withdrawal from the other ingredients in cigarettes was, and remains, quite... um... painful. When did I become addicted to those?
I never wanted to quit smoking, mind you. I enjoy smoking. It's just that the health effects frightened me enough to consider alternatives. Vaping on electronic cigarettes saved my life, I'm sure of it. They've saved my family and my bank account as well. I've only had to buy "juice" 3 times in the past 55 days and at a price comparable to two packs of cigarettes or 3 cigars.
So I thought I'd make a thread inviting ex smokers, or those considering quitting, or even those curious about e-cigs, to speak up and have a talk. The hardest part about quitting is that you tend to feel alone when going through the withdrawals. That simply isn't so.
