Smoking Cessation Community

I am a doctor and I have been smoking since I snuck my first cigarette from a visiting uncle's pack when I was 14. I have always loved smoking! (I even remember enjoying warm, comforting smell of my friend's mom cigarette as she drove us kids to grade school back in the eighties.) Like others, I have quit so many times that I simply "quit quitting". I have tried cold turkey (made it 6 months plus), gum, hypnotism, and Chantix. I even prescribed Chantix to my patients - yes, I am a doctor and admit that I am a former "closet smoker". In the beginning I felt like I could quit anytime and did so multiple times but it never lasted more than 6 months. (For those of you who think it's a matter of not enough "willpower", I challenge you to quit drinking coffee/caffine products for a similar time period- Does the mere thought elicit feelings of dread or negativity? Bingo.)

Truthfully, I HATED the fact that I smoked. It was a comfort, a crutch, a little mini-break for myself, an after dinner treat, whatever. I knew that I was killing myself slowly, one cig at a time, but I just couldn't quit. A year or two ago I came to the realization that I really couldn't quit. Chantix worked, but was a nightmare, literally.

Just for kicks, and the sake of another cool electonic gadget, I tried a Logic e-cig from Cumberland Farms, my local convenience store. I truthfully had No intentions of quitting. . .Long story short, in about two weeks, I 100% completely quit smoking. It has been about 8wks since I bought my first ecig, and I have now been smoke free for over 6 weeks. For week or two, I still smoked whenever I wanted to, but the Urge to smoke steadily grew less and less. I finished my current pack of Marlboro Menthols (I used to smoke Camels, then Marlboro Reds, then Newports) and for the first time ever, just didn't feel the need to buy another pack. One day before the end of week two, a friend came over and as a matter of routine, gave me cigarette (a wimpy "ultralight" Parliament no less). I lit it, took a few puffs, and I felt like I inhaling burning smoke from a pile of tires or exhaust from my ford small block V8. (bored to 347 'natch). Really. I remember describing it "Toxic" to my friend. I even got a definite feeling of nausea (from a parliment!!? Hahaha) That is the story of MyLAST cigarette!! Hallelujah!!!! It has been about 6 weeks since and I have NOT smoked nor had the urge since! Note: (Although I found logic ecigs expensive at 9.99 a pop, I will always be grateful to Logic ecigs (not a plug just the truth) for helping me to quit smoking. See something good actually came out of New Jersey!) I still can't believe that after so many years of feeling defeated my smoking that it was that easy for me to quit an up to a pack a day habit! And you know what- I don't even miss it! Thank you God for introducing me to ecigs! I hated smoking so much and will never look back. TRUTH.