From day one our aim has been to help our customers make the switch from smoking to vaping. Whether it is to improve their health, to save a few quid, or simply because they don’t want to smoke anymore, we understand that everyone has their unique reasons for choosing to quit. Our aim is to not only help our customers choose the right device and e-liquid to get started with an e-cigarette, but also to support them along the way however we can.
That’s why we love to hear from our customers about their stop smoking journey, why they chose to quit, and simply, how it’s going!
#VapingMatters
For some time now we have been sharing why vaping matters to our colleagues and customers through video interviews on our YouTube channel. This is not only a chance for them to share their success stories, but let us know a bit more about how they got into vaping and the changes they have noticed since quitting smoking.
Sihon’s story
Sihon was a smoker for around three years, smoking 20-30 cigarettes a day which gave him the opportunity to step outside and take a minute away from his busy work day. Many of his colleagues smoked, and it was at this job that he first started smoking, which is common for many smokers. Taking a cigarette break is a way to remove yourself from the stressful work environment for a little while. In the video he explains how his smoking habit escalated;
“It really started building up and it was only when I started counting empty boxes that I was like, this is a bit of a problem.”
It was around this time that Sihon unfortunately lost a family member, which he points to as his main reason for quitting smoking;
“Quitting smoking was a decision I made because I had a family member who died from lung cancer. That was a pretty harsh wake up call because the number one cause of it was smoking cigarettes.”
In the video interview Sihon discusses his first attempt at quitting smoking, a story that feels all to familiar to many people. Initially he tried to quit cold turkey, but found this was very difficult, especially in social situations.
Anyone who has made a quit attempt knows how hard it can be when you see friends and colleagues having a cigarette, and you know how easy it would be to give up and join them.
Fortunately, one of Sihon’s colleagues was a vaper, and introduced him to e-cigarettes as an alternative to smoking. After doing a lot of research into e-cigarettes and the different options available, Sihon made the switch to vaping and has now been a vaper for 5 years.
Why asked why vaping matters to him, Sihon explained;
“You have to look ahead and behind. If you look at the past, we’ve seen the effects of smoking, the data is there, we know what kills people and we know it’s cigarettes.”
Neil’s story
A great example of how everyone’s experience is different is Neil. He was a smoker for around 30 years, but unlike many long-term smokers, he was a relatively light smoker usually smoking between 2-4 a day.
For Neil, the social aspect of smoking played a big factor in why he chose to quit, as he became aware of the smell of smoke lingering on him. He was also diagnosed with heart disease, which made him realise it was time to make a change in his life.
He chose to switch to vaping as he wanted something that would still satisfy his cravings and feel like smoking. He explains in his interview;
“I’ve been a vaper for just over three years. It came about really because of my need to stop smoking cigarettes… I wanted to switch to something where I could still have that sensation.”
Neil is now encouraging his lodger to consider making the switch from smoking to vaping also.
Alex’s story
Alex was a smoker from a young age, and readily admits that he personally chose to give up because of the cost of smoking. Speaking in his interview, Alex explains;
“Obviously, the reason you should give up is for health reasons, but to me that was a bonus. I gave up purely because of how much it was costing me, I worked it out and I was spending £2000 a year on cigarettes.”
This is a perfect example of how everyone’s motivations for quitting smoking differ. While many people choose to quit due to health concerns, the cost of smoking is actually another very common reason. The price of cigarettes is constantly increasing, and the average smoker can save quite a lot of money by making the switch to vaping.
Alex speaks about why he chose to use an e-cigarette, and reveals that he was advised by his local chemist to consider an e-cigarette as they suspected this would be the most suitable alternative for him.
“I chose vaping because it lets you have something in your hand… If you’re waiting for a bus, tram or walking to the shop, those would be the trigger for me to light up a cigarette.”
He offers this advice to smokers who would like to quit;
“I would say quit smoking as fast as you can, and find a vape that suits you, that you like and get on with. You’ll be able to quit smoking a lot quicker than with just willpower.”
Chris’s story
Like Alex, Chris did not choose to make the switch due to health concerns, but simply because he found he preferred vaping to smoking. He was a smoker for all of his adult years, and would smoke at least a pack a day. He takes quite a comical approach when speaking about his decision to quit smoking, saying;
"Well the [hardest] thing when quitting smoking was of course the addiction and not having a sustainable source of nicotine in my life. Other than that everything was good, except the anger and the fidgety hands, peachy!"
He chose to try vaping as a way to replace his smoking habit, as he found the physical habit of smoking the hardest bit to kick.
"I chose vaping over cigarettes because as much as I can say that smoking is bad, I am addicted to the sensation…I tried nicotine patches but, let’s be honest, half of the addiction is the nicotine, the other half is the habit, and vaping replaces the habit quite well."
Chris explains that one of the reasons that vaping matters to him is the variety it offers. There are so many options for both devices and e-liquids, that he finds he can never get bored of it which reassures him he will not return to smoking.
"Vaping matters to me because it is a really, really good alternative to cigarettes. It’s not so smelly, it’s tasty, and I have a variety of tastes to choose from. It’s a never ending story, whenever I get bored of the taste I can just [clicks fingers] switch to another, and there is so many of them I will never run out of options!"
Our YouTube channel has a whole host of interviews with Evapo team members and customers telling their unique stop smoking story and how they got into vaping. If you are looking for some inspiration to get you started on your stop smoking journey, have a listen to some of the benefits people have noticed since they quit, and maybe it might just be the nudge you need!
