
VAPERS VOICES
Many adult South Africans have used vaping as a method to help them quit smoking and practice tobacco harm reduction.
Since the very beginning, VSML has invited people to share their experiences and what this innovation means to them.
Their stories should not be ignored.
Zaheer Cassim
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
8
Vaping Years:
6
Flavours:
Dessert
I was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day before I quit and started vaping. I initially vaped very high nicotine (18mg) but now vape 1.5mg nicotine dessert e-liquid.
My health has changed and became so much better since I started vaping. With cigarettes, I used to get sick atleast 5-6 times a year. Since I started vaping, I only get sick from time to time so my immunity has become much stronger (even with Covid).
I lost 2 family members to Covid due to them smoking heavily whereas me and many others who vape were hardly affected. If that is not proof in the pudding then I don’t know what is.
Date Uploaded: 20230725
Paul Anderson
Age:
44
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
26
Vaping Years:
3
Flavours:
Dessert
I started smoking at the age of 15, by my late teens I was smoking 25 to 30 cigarettes a day.
I tried to give up many times but I wasn’t able to do it.
At the age of 41 in 2019 I believed that quitting was a lost cause and that I was destined to smoke for the rest of my life, until a friend loaned me a vape device.
I had been unwilling to spend the money on a vape device as I didn’t believe it would help me quit but my friend suggested I try it, just to see what it was like.
I bought a bottle of Caramel Apple Cake flavoured juice and tried vaping, just to try it, but I didn’t intend to quit smoking. I enjoyed the flavour of the juice so I kept going back for another puff, just to enjoy it. within 10 days I was getting enough nicotine satisfaction from the vape that I had dropped to 10-12 cigarettes a day without realising. on 1st august 2019 I smoked 1 cigarette first thing in the morning and then got ready to go out. I decided to go for my morning out and try to see if I could do the whole morning without smoking, and I did. and the afternoon, and so on. three years on I still have not smoked another cigarette.
soon after I switched to vaping I could feel my health improving. I could walk and cycle further and faster, I was sleeping better, I have had fewer days off work sick and my sense of smell and taste have improved.
I truly believe that vaping has make me healthier and extended my life.
I also think that the flavour’s of vape juice available were a significant factor, if I had not enjoyed the flavour so much I would not have kept going back to the vape. Even now, three years smoke free, I wont vape tobacco flavours because I worry that inhaling tobacco flavour vape will connect me to smoking and draw me back.
Date Uploaded: 20221010
Mary-Rose Williams
Age:
56
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
38
Vaping Years:
7
Flavours:
Like more than one type
I am passionate about vaping. My physical and psychological health has improved since starting, I would have never given up combustibles without the aid of vaping, I no longer smoke combustibles
Date Uploaded: 20200703
Chantel Van Zyl
Age:
38
Current Smoker:
Yes
Smoking Years:
20
Vaping Years:
2
Flavours:
Like more than one type
I have been a smoker for more than half my life, I smoked around a packet a day and since I started vaping, I’m down to less than 5 cigarettes a day, I can feel a major difference in my health, I have more energy and my mental state of mind has improved. I recently went for a cardiologist checkup as I had heart surgery in my twenties and my cardiologist is thrilled with the improvement seen in my health in general… My lungs are clearer, and my heart is healthy… Vaping has helped me get to where I am today and with persistence, I will eventually stop all together….
Date Uploaded: 20221007
Kris Muller
Age:
26
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
13
Vaping Years:
2
Flavours:
Fruit
When I met my husband he was Muslim and hated me smoking and I had a very bad cough then he got me a vape and when we got married I quit the cigarettes and only smoke disposable vapes .it helps my moods stabilize I can be with my husband and still vape I dont need to go some where else to vape like I used to with cigarettes and I dont have a cough at all any more
Date Uploaded: 20230810
Mujahid Padayachy
Age:
36
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
18
Vaping Years:
3
Flavours:
Like more than one type
My life has changed since I started vaping. I’m healthier and just want to carry this on for my kids.
Date Uploaded: 20210716
Werner du Toit
Age:
46
Current Smoker:
Yes
Smoking Years:
20
Vaping Years:
2
Flavours:
Dessert
Well, to wake up every morning with coughing and cannot breath brought me to a point to consider vaping, and Yes, I totally gave up chiggies. Im much better now, no tight chest, coughing and breathing issues.
Lately, I made vaping a hobby so yes its not only for nicotine shots required it become my past-time activity.
Date Uploaded: 20221013
Johan Erasmus
Age:
54
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
20
Vaping Years:
2
Flavours:
Tobacco
I am a keen cyclist, and could feel that smoking has a huge influence on my health, and decided to change to Vaping which is 95% healthier,
Due to say this, I can confirm now that I can feel the difference between smoking and vaping.
The fact that I am a sportsman and have switch to Vaping, gives me the confidence and results that Vaping is much healthier that smoking tobacco products. I am feeling much better now by using vaping products as to when I was a smoker.
Date Uploaded: 20221010