I gave up smoking with vapes in 2010, 14 years ago, a life changing moment that I will never forget or regret as my health is now far better than at any time when I smoked.

Blood pressure normal, asthma under control, I can now jog up stairs!

I’d smoked for 24 years. I’m 50 years old- you wouldn’t guess my age if you met me as I am fit and healthy- because I quit smoking and switched to vaping the very first day I tried an ecig, as they were called back then.

I no longer get chest infections. I recover from illness very quickly, as opposed to when I smoked.  I drink alcohol less, abstaining most of the time. I attribute this to vaping.

I’ve never touched or inhaled a combustible cigarette since I picked up that first vape. I was desperate to quit as I’d started a relationship with a non smoker.

I’d tried every NRT multiple times, cold turkey etc. but I always relapsed.

When I tried the vape that arrived in the mail from the US, I knew I’d found the solution. I literally handed my pouch of tobacco over to a friend that day and that was it. I was so happy and proud of myself!

I loathe cigarettes now, the smell, the damage.

I know other people who quit with vapes who feel the same way. I also helped many many other smokers quit their smoking habit with vapes, however some are now so despondent about the prohibition, that they are considering returning to cigarettes. The word on the street is now “vaping is worse than smoking” or “vaping will be too hard now so I’ll go back to smoking”.

I’m so disappointed and frankly furious that the government has prohibited a truly lifesaving device. I am opposed to u18s vaping disposables from the black market and support sensible age restricted regulation for adult consumers.

I am particularly concerned about the misinformation being disseminated in the press and by politicians. I feel my rights have been taken away. I will not use the prescription model as the devices are poor quality, expensive and I do not want to use flavours that remind me of smoking. I can’t think of anything worse than tobacco flavour.