Victoria Lewis tries out the controversial smoking cessation tool. Will she quit or miss?

Everyone’s vaping these days: the supposedly healthier alternative to smoking, where users inhale a more benign combo of nicotine and water vapour. E-cigarettes are even designed to look like regular fags for that authentic feel. So far so good, or at least better than a 20-a-day smoking habit surely?

Indeed, if quitters’ forums and word-of-mouth is to be believed, these analogue smokes run rings around other quitting products. But because they remain unregulated and little is known about their long-term effects on the body, these faux fags have ignited a fair bit of a controversy. Naturally, I was keen to see what the fuss was about. With my eighth year as a smoker fast approaching and numerous failed attempts under my belt, I wanted to knock this nasty habit on the head.

I’d tried cold turkey (hell), nicotine gum (I hate gum) and lozenges (disgusting). So even with their dubious reputation, e-cigarettes must be worth a try? And in case of spontaneous combustion or other life-threatening side effects, I decided to write about my first days in the world of smoke-free smoking. Would it help me kick my habit, or turn me into even more of a nicotine junkie?

Day 1: The First Drag

Helpfully, the ‘shisha pen’ came without instructions. It took half an hour to open the child-proof bottle of flavoured nicotine liquid. Went outside for my first ‘vape’ in a desperate attempt to simulate normal smoking conditions, fully expecting to be disappointed by my faux fag. The first drag blew my head off, the throat hit much stronger than my usual smoke, Amber Leaf. Two puffs were enough, nicotine cravings more than sated. Only needed the e-cig twice today, a lot less than my usual 10-15 roll-ups a day. Either the e-cig is too strong, or some kind of miracle cure? My dry throat and headache suggest the former, but the first day as a non-smoker was pleasantly surprising.

Day 2: The Side Effects

Woke up coughing, with a mouth like sandpaper and the high-pitched ringing of tinnitus. Expected to feel a tad healthier. The first fag of the day was always my favourite so felt a pathetic pang of longing while making my coffee. Held my nerve and used the e-cig instead, not as satisfying as a real smoke but is a suitable surrogate. Using it in public was another matter. I felt strangely embarrassed proffering my fake fag. Fortunately, all fears of being shooed out of the Starbucks smoking area by the ‘real’ smokers were unfounded. On the contrary, was met with curiosity and respect for making the switch.

“Using it in public was another matter. I felt strangely embarrassed proffering my fake fag.”

Day 3: A Breath of Fresh Air

For the first time in years I didn’t crave a roll-up on waking, went for a run instead. Usually my lungs give in after ten minutes rendering me a hyperventilating mess, but today felt like the next Paula Radcliffe. Ok, not quite, but running was easier and wheeze-free. Who knew I’d feel the benefits of quitting so quickly? The idea of chogging on a fag already seems repulsive. Although using an e-cig isn’t risk-free, I’m already feeling healthier. My housemate persuaded me into having a drink this evening, something I’d vowed to avoid while quitting. I imagined how nice a smoke would be with my smooth glass of red, but will power held firm! A couple of puffs on the e-cig were all it took to banish thoughts of real smoking.

Day 4: The Hangover

Still have tinnitus. Lack of sleep and the effects of yesterday’s wine put me in a foul mood. Strangely, I’m not craving roll-ups. Getting used to the e-cig, yet don’t feel the need to use it as often as I used to smoke. My previous attempts to quit using other nicotine replacement therapies were horrible and involved intense cravings, mood swings, irritability, even feelings of depression. This time I’ve experienced none of that, it’s been remarkably easy. Being quite strict on myself and never vape inside, preferring to simulate my old smoking routine. I do recognise how easy it could be to start vaping more often than one smoked, thus substituting one habit for another.

Day 5: The Run

Constant tinnitus is starting to grate a little. Instead of reaching for a rollie or the e-cig, went for run and did 8 miles – furthest I’d ever run before. Amazed how effortless running feels since being smoke-free and I doubt I’d have lasted this long without the e-cigs. Simulating the action of smoking is as important as nicotine replacement. Is this the key to e-cigs’ success? As the days go by, I’m craving fags less. Only use the e-cig about 4 times a day, taking four puffs max. Genuinely shocked by this! Moved to a lower strength nicotine liquid, keen to reduce my nicotine intake asap. Although it’d be quite easy to increase it if you aren’t careful.

Day 6: The Smoking Shelter

Day 6 already! Wanted to announce my success on Facebook, but remembered my mum would read it. Never want her finding out I smoked! Told some friends about me switching to e-cigs, the response has been positive but all seem surprised I’ve got this far. Hearing about others who’ve made the switch, the general consensus seems to be that e-cigs worked when other things haven’t. Went to the pub this evening, hated standing out in the smoking shelter to vape. Why should people who’ve quit be subjected to the very thing they’re trying to avoid? It’s like sending an alcoholic to an off license for some orange juice. Chatted to another vaper who agreed but did recognise that vaping should be regulated as it has the potential to be more addictive than smoking.

Day 7: The Week

Almost done a whole week smoke-free! It feels ace! Do worry about what I’m putting into my new healthy body every time I vape, ironic considering all the fags I’ve smoked over the years. I’m in some kind of smoking-vaping limbo: don’t feel like a smoker anymore, but wouldn’t say I’m a vaper either as I plan to quit e-cigs too with time. For me they serve a purpose, but it’s easy to see how people could enjoy them too much. Few comment on my use of the e-cig, as though vaping is just as accepted as smoking. Any comments are positive, so far vaping has been an unexpectedly good experience.

 

The verdict

Compared with previous attempts to quit, all of which lasted less than 4 days, this attempt has gone way better than anticipated. I was a sceptic, especially as a study in the New England Journal of Medicine recently linked vaping to the production of carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde. I’m 100% certain inhaling anything other than fresh air is bad for you, after all.

However, I am now on my 9th smoke-free day, vape 3-4 times a day, my lungs are clear and I feel healthier than I’ve done in years. I still think about smoking, but vaping has proved a suitable analogue enabling me to quit for long enough to feel the benefits and give me the confidence to stay smoke-free.

Yes, I’m still a sceptic. I’m not about to sing their praises on a quitters’ forum, or become one of ‘those’ ex-smokers, but I understand that if used sensibly, e-cigarettes can be a viable quitting tool. For me, giving up smoking is like losing a really mangy limb and vaping is a temporary crutch, not a long-term solution.

UPDATE : Now 21 smoke-free days, going strong with no intention of ever going back to the fags!

NHS advice on stop smoking treatment and their stance on e-cigarettes

New England Journal of Medicine study on the contents of e-cigarette vapour