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.
Desiree van Deventer
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
25
Vaping Years:
2
Flavours:
Fruit
I use to smoke almost 30 sigarets a day and enjoyed smoking. My mom sadly passed as a direct result of smoking cigarettes. I treid several ways to stop smoking from cold turkey to nicotine patches to gum. Nothing lasted long. Eventually I found a pod and fruity flavour and gave it a try. Overnight I switched from smoking to vaping. It wasn’t easy, but vaping assisted me. I smell better, I taste my food again, I don’t get bronchitis like I use to, I even sleep better. I wake up without coughing. I can only see benifits. Vaping saved my life
Date Uploaded: 20210716
Adriaan Cowan
Age:
34
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
8
Vaping Years:
1
Flavours:
Like more than one type
I started vaping as I have chronic sinusitis and vaping helps for it.
Date Uploaded: 20210717
Stephen Dean Patterson
Age:
21
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
3
Vaping Years:
7
Flavours:
Fruit
I have been Vaping for a couple years and I must say my smell is alot better my lungs feel great I would never go back to Cigarettes Vaping helps alot and it benefits my health.
Date Uploaded: 20220115
Angeline Sequeira
Age:
30
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
4
Vaping Years:
5
Flavours:
Fruit
I did it for my children, my self-esteem and our health! I’ve tried medicine to help me quit smoking; it made me feel depressed, with no success.
I started vaping in 2017, it wasn’t necessarily easy as I was coughing quite a nasty bit. As soon as all the tar and junk cleared from my lungs, I was able to smell and taste like a champion. Flu doesn’t get to me as it used to!
With guidance from a Specialised Vape Shop I have been NICOTINE FREE for 6 months now!
Date Uploaded: 20221108
Zaid Motala
Age:
24
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
3
Vaping Years:
6
Flavours:
Fruit
Stopped cigarettes
Date Uploaded: 20220119
Valentino Arendse
Age:
26
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
2
Vaping Years:
6
Flavours:
Like more than one type
Date Uploaded: 20220118
Johnathan M
Age:
25
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
9
Vaping Years:
5
Flavours:
Like more than one type
At a young age I experienced health problems which were a direct result of smoking cigarettes. At just 16 years old I was able to purchase cigarettes over the counter at pretty much any retailer without ever being questioned about age. This ease of access to cigarettes compared to the low price (R40-50/box) meant it was an attractive choice. After years of smoking, my fitness levels tanked. I went from being an A Group athlete to barely being able to run a field once. Thanks to vaping, I was able to switch & currently my health has been much better. I can now run a field multiple times without my lungs feeling like they’re going to collapse. The government’s tax system will completely ruin vaping and make it a much more expensive option compared to tobacco smoking. The government needs to carefully take a look at how much the average SA citizen earns before making a healthier alternative more expensive. The proposed tax system will lead to more vapers going back to smoking simply due to the high tax and cost of products. It is absolutely ridiculous what they’re proposing & I’m quite sure the younger generation will most definitely choose smoking cigarettes which are scientifically proven to be worse than vaping.
Date Uploaded: 20220120
Sean
Age:
40
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
16
Vaping Years:
6
Flavours:
Like more than one type
I started smoking in my school years, 1 -2 packs a day. I ended up in hospital with heart problems, all related to smoking. I had tried before to quit, but never managed, this time I tried vaping and haven’t touched a cigarette since. My health as improved immensily and I am now running marathons, something I could never manage before. I have been vaping for 6yrs now, and am so grateful I am. vaping saved my life!!
Date Uploaded: 20210224