“I Lost My Cough Years Ago” – Non-nicotine Vaping Consumer
- Kim
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
My personal experience.
I tried my first cigarette at 16. By 17 I was smoking semi regularly. I smoked approximately a pack a day until about the age of 50. I am now 59. I tried to give up a couple of times. The longest being for 3 months. I decided to be an occasional smoker and only have the odd cigarette when I had a drink. The result- I drank a lot more frequently, so I went back to smoking. Tried patches and had a reaction to the adhesive. Gum was tolerable but still didn’t help as it is a different action to smoking.
A patient on the ward I was working on gave me a try of his e-cigarette. I went to his supplier. I found support and technical help. Over the years I have worked my way down from 18mg to 0mg with the help of local and suppliers from overseas. I have done this very slowly as I do not like feeling deprived and I felt I would be less likely to relapse.
One of the major factors in my success was flavours. I like the dessert and cereal flavours. I have never enjoyed tobacco flavour and getting away from the dirty ashtray taste was a massive bonus. I use nicotine freebase. I have never tried nicotine salts. The taste improved immensely as the nicotine content was decreased. I use a MTL (Mouth to Lung) device and coils. I have never been into the DTL (Direct to Lung) method which creates the huge clouds. I have also never used a single use nicotine vape. I never returned to smoking at any stage or was tempted to. The vape was that effective.
As I don’t use any Nicotine I often go for days forgetting to vape. I sometimes even go out for lunch and consume alcohol and still not vape, even though it is in my bag. My use of the vape plummeted as the nicotine dose wentt down, My plan is to be an infrequent vaper. I also would like to keep it in case of times of high stress so there is absolutely no chance of relapse.
My lungs are in good condition, and I lost my cough years ago.
I was horrified when the Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, announced in 2023 they would be making some very radical changes to the vaping industry. I strongly think these changes will have some serious, negative impacts on people’s health without having positive outcomes for what he says is the key reason: stopping the uptake of vaping by minors.
My Concerns
The reusable vapes are being targeted even though it is common knowledge
that the single use, nicotine vapes are the problem with the minors.
Flavours are also being targeted because they appeal to kids.
I am an adult, and I enjoy flavour too. The flavour was a major component in my success in quitting tobacco.
The responsible people that ran the vape stores.
· The same people that have been helpful and supportive to me and complied with the laws that have been rapidly changing.
· The people that have made a massive improvement in the quality of my life and many others.
· These people have undoubtedly saved many lives and reduced the stress on the Health System. I can’t imagine how they are going to cope.
They deserve a medal for their contribution to Public Health.
I am sad that the effective tool I had to give up smoking will not be available to others.
· Taking away flavours and the Vape Shops would be a massive mistake.
· I am also afraid there will be many that will go back to smoking which would be a tragedy.
Vaping is not without harm but is a far safer alternative to smoking.
Submission To Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 Inquiry
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