Is It Possible To Stop Smoking?

I just wanted to address those that might be looking to help a family member or friend to stop smoking.

1. Don't tell them how many people die from smoking, what an idiot they are, that smoking 'is just stupid' or 'think about the money' you would save. You could tell them this a hundred times and they still won't quit.


2. Try to encourage them. Appeal to their better nature and show them you realise they are not stupid simply because they smoke. Be supportive and help guide them towards successful quitting aids, but ONLY if they are willing and ready. You can't force the issue onto them.


3. If they show some signs to you that they are considering quitting, then maybe you could do a little research on their behalf, trying to find practical solutions that work for people, and point them to it. Let me say, it's one thing for a smoker to consider quitting and a totally different ball game when it comes to taking steps to do it.


4. Maybe you could get them a stop smoking aid on their behalf and have it ready for when they are feeling more intent to do something about it. Keep it from them until they are of the mindset and then you could say, 'Here I got this for you. Don't worry if you don't use it, it's just there for when you're ready'. Chances are at some point they will give it a try.


5. If you are serious about helping someone to quit, I really recommend this particular electronic cigarette, as it has a high success rate: The SafeCig Micro

Read on to find out how I am getting on with this awesome device...

There is actually a fairly new product that has hit the markets and is changing so many smokers lives.

It's called an electronic cigarette or vaporizer. I had'nt heard of this until a few months ago and decided to pick one up (Shown in the right). It's a very impressive piece of kit, and is almost like smoking a regular cigarette, just without the health risks.

It's also the first nicotine replacement device I have used that really targets and removes those severe cravings us smokers get from stopping. You know the ones where you just HAVE to spark up, otherwise you will kill someone. I have not even had a small craving whilst using it, in fact I prefere to use this now to smoking real cigarettes.

A vaporizer works by heating up a nicotine solution using a heating element when you take a pull on it.

You use it just like a regular cigarette, except because there is no smoke fumes, it does not contain tar or the many other harmful toxins. In fact many people have said after a few weeks of using it their 'smokers cough' goes away, they can exercise better and they don't smell of smoke anymore. I have never really had a smokers cough, so I can't claim that one for myself, but I can certainly account for the other benefits mentioned. Also it's worth mentioning it is just like a regular cigarette, it leaves no desire to use a real cigarette and it saves me about £4.30 per packet of usual cigarettes. So for someone like me who has never been able to stop smoking, it is the best stop smoking aid I have come across.

The best one I found is an electronic cigarette, called the SafeCig. They do a couple of different packages, and in different strengths. So you can actually wean yourself off the nicotine addiction before stopping completely. But this does not mean you have to lower the strengths, at the end of the day it is far better than actually smoking real cigarettes with the added bonus of saving yourself cash.

But wait, there's more.....

Not only does it stop you smelling like a smoker, save you money and remove the thousands of toxins you take every time you light up, but it is safe to use in public places. The reason is that there is no second hand smoke, only vapour, and that quickly dissipates in the air. This also means your clothes do not smell of smoke, and neither do your hands.

Preface: A few weeks ago we had the BT guy round installing better internet for us. He was using a vaporizer/electronic cigarette, and I was a little intriged so asked him about it. He said it was the best thing he found to stop smoking, and that I should deffinatly pick one up. At the time I thought 'hmm.. sounds good, maybe I will order it one day.'.

So a few weeks passed and I still had not ordered one. To be honest I thought that it would not be as easy as he suggested. I then came accross an article about them, and read the comments other people had left. That was the key moment for me. I decided that I should really give it a try, at the end of the day the worst thing is it doesn't work and I go back to smoking regular cigarettes.

The device I came accross recommended the most was the SafeCig. This company really put a lot of work into the developement of their products, and I have to say the quality of the device I ordered from them is phenominal. It's not some cheap skate thing, it has a real good feel to it. Check it out:

Ok so it's about 5:40pm on a tuesday. I'm on my way home from work, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my safecig. Sure enough, when I got home it was there waiting for me.

My first impression on opening the package, was that this is a very slick, quality device. The package itself even resembles a normal cigarette packet, with a cool compartment for the usb charger. It also came with plenty of refill cartridges and two batteries.
The package I ordered was an 18mg version, but they do a stronger version of 24mg. They even do a 0mg version. (Meaning it contains no nicotine).

Using It For The First Time
Assembling the device is straight forward. Just take a battery and cartridge, and screw them together. Job done.
Then the moment of truth came. I prepared to take a pull on it, a little bit anxious because I knew that after one pull I would be able to tell if this is going to work or not. To my joy it worked a treat!

It feels exactly like a regular cigarette, giving that hit at the back of the throat, and then blowing out the vapour that looks very similair to smoke. The difference however is that the vapour has no smell, and does not linger.

For the rest of the day I went without a cigarette, very comfortably.

I woke up this morning, as per usual. Normally when I wake up my first thought (sad as it may be) is that I will be having a cigarette. I quickly realised that I was not going to be smoking a cigarette, because I had my little device to use. You may think at this point, that the cravings would have kicked in. I always find my 'crutch' times to be after eating and especially in the morning. But I was perfectly happy to use my device instead. This came as a shock to me. There was no feelings of withdrawel or anger. I actually felt happy that finally I had found something that made it easy to leave cigarettes.

As the day progressed, I just carried on using the device, and I still had cigarettes left over! Sounds crazy right? It seems wierd even to me, because I am deffinatly one of the worst when it comes to giving up cigarettes. I have absolutely zero will power.

Today was just like yesterday really. I woke up as per usual, without any cravings and was happy to use the safecig.

I went about my day as per usual, feeling pleased with myself as this is the longest I had ever been without a cigarette. By this time I was on my third cartridge for the safecig, so there claim that each cartridge lasts the same as a pack of cigarettes, seems to hold true. Either way it's a big saving. It also felt really good to go to the local shop without asking for a pack of cigarettes. I'm sure the person behind the counter was a little suprised I didn't buy a pack.

With regards to the battery life, they last around 4-5 hours max, depending on how frequently I use the device. Since there is two batteries included, that gives me a full day of work use. It also allowed me to just carry on with my work without needing to go outside.

That night somthing pretty cool happened. I was getting ready to go to bed, and then I noticed that my sense of smell was a little stronger. I also noticed that my fingers finally did not smell of smoke!, and they had lost the hint of yellow where I usually hold a cigarette.

So today was a good day...

Again, just like yesterday absolutely no cravings for a real cigarette. My sense of smell is getting stronger, my fingers have stopped smelling of an ashtray and I don't have that croaky throat.

Other than that there really is not much else to report on. Oh, I still have that half empty pack of cigarettes left over from tuesday, and I nearly forgot I had them. Probably time to throw them in the bin now :)

I think you get the picture by now. This has been the longest period I have ever been of cigarettes, and I have not had any cravings at all. My wallet is thicker, my sense of smell is back, food tastes better and I feel like I can breathe properly.

Now apparently the first few days are the most difficult times, but we all know that after a long period of time, many ex-smokers start up again. So I will be next reporting in a few weeks time to let you know if I am still using the device and if any other significant things have happened. So far it's looking very promising. This device seemed to find me at the right time, when I really needed to stop smoking, and it has made it a real walk in the park.

If you are like me and have struggeled to quit smoking, visit the link below and it will take you to the exact kit I'm using to stop smoking. If you smoke more than 20 per day, or you smoke roll-ups you might prefere to get the 24mg version. I'm personally on the 18mg version, and yes it is slightly weaker, but I have managed very well with it. My next step is to keep using the device, and maybe drop down in strength, but I'm in no hurry to do that. I would rather just reduce how often I use it, because we know that with a weaker cigarette you just end up smoking more anyway.

So go give it a try and you can thank me later :)

Also please post a comment below if this has helped you and how you got on with it, it will really help others out.

GOOD LUCK!