My experience so far as someone who has managed to stop smoking.

[cleopetra]

I smoked my last cigarette 77 days ago. I use an e-cig to help and am glad to see that a lot of people do this also. I say this because I couldn't have stopped without it. Because of the e-cig, I haven't really been tempted to smoke at all and having come this far really don't want to. I'm trying very hard not to become one of those people who makes those who do smoke feel bad about themselves but I find myself hating the smell of cigarettes and can't believe I smoked for so long. I don't think I'll smoke again but I do wonder if I'll be an e-cigger for the rest of my days instead as I still need the feel of smoking.

Most people who know me have been really supportive but there are those who ask when I'm giving up the e-cig. That is really annoying because I know this is the better choice as I feel so much better in a multitude of ways.

I have stopped counting the days now and count in weeks instead. I'm in week 12. I think I'll do that indefinitely as it seems to help and I plan on celebrating every week until I reach my first year and then I'll celebrate that.

I wonder how long it will be until I stop feeling like something is missing, even though I know that I am so much better off without it.

[andi22]

Hi Sally and welcome to our lovely community. 77 days is just fantastic, in week 12 so nearly 3 months - soon you'll be counting in months. Sounds like the e-cig is the way to go for you. Maybe you can reduce the nicotine content along the way like lots seem to on here. If it's that hand-to-mouth thing, maybe you could have a pencil to fiddle with and suck in between if you really want to cut back a bit.

I guess the feeling like something is missing must be all those nasty addictive chemicals they put into cigarettes but you're much better off without them. Good luck, you'll get there in the end. Andi

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

HI Sally . I used the inhalator when I quit. similar to the ecig as it has a cartridge. I eventually was using the inhalator with a cartridge in but hadn't been replaced for a while. So the nicotine wasn't as strong. I don't know if you could do that with the ecig. persevere like andi says you are doing really well.

[cleopetra 2 YEAR WINNER]

Thanks Andi and Jilly. The problem with my e-cig is that it feels so much like a cigarette. I just have to keep reminding myself that it isn't and that I am not harming myself or others by using it. I've never had any success before in giving up smoking so I am thankful that this is working for me. I think it can be difficult to stop feeling guilty, which is how I used to feel when I smoked. Thanks again. Sally.x

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner]

Aup Sally, a massive well done to you for getting to 12 weeks quit

You say the problem with the e-cig is that it feels so much like a cigarette, I think thats why they suit some people better, people that want to hold something in their hands, not like a patch or gum that you chew if that makes sense !!!!

The main thing is, your not smoking if it works for you, then you do it When and only when ''your'' ready !! then start to wean yourself off the e-cig I'm sorry but I dont know much about the e-cig, but I do know you can get different nicotine strengths and flavours without nicotine in them Keep up the good work Sally and its lovely to have met you

Pete

[lizziec1 30 Months Winner]

Sally - well done and I wouldn't worry about coming off the e cigs yet. You have done brilliantly and if it works then don't change it. Don't know a lot about them myself. I am now on month six woooooo hoooooo and I did it with Nicotine Lozenges. Am still using them, although I should have cut them out by now - spoke to GP who assured me that its better to use these than smoke. Smoking is just so flipping dangerous. So don't beat yourself up stick with it and most importantly of all give yourself a big pat on the back and don't take any notice of what others say. Happy Easter Lizzie

[cleopetra 2 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Monky and lizzie. Thanks for your comments. I hadn't realised that I need some supportive comments about the e-cigs until I found this site. It may be because it still isn't that common a sight to see people using them. Even at work I feel that I have to go outside or hide somewhere if I need to use it, unlike other aids to giving up. But I am not despondent and thanks again

Sally.x

[Babydoggy]

Hi Sally,I've been stopped just into 2 weeks with aid of an e cig and can't imagine I'd of been able to do it without it,I never bought it to stop but to cut down,funny thing is I did cut down completely I havnt touched a cig since,I've been told by numerous amounts of people that if the e cig is good for you keep at it,if it helps carry on with it as I will,I'm on 24mgs of nicotine as I smoked roll ups,I'm going to keep on this strength for 12 weeks then drop to the next level then so on until I reach 0.0 nicotine,I won't be giving up the e cig until I feel I'm ready to do so if at all,keep up the good work

[cleopetra 2 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Babydoggy. I'm still getting used to this site and am not sure if you received my reply as an error message came up. Anyway, I just wanted to say that it is good to hear that there are positive comments about the use of e-cigs. I'm om 18mgs at the moment and seem to gradually be using the e-cig less often. Am a bit reluctant to reduce the strength in case I find myself using it more again. But that is the beauty of the e-cig, I think. It really does cater for the individual because there are so many variations in the liquid. Well done to you.

Sally.x