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.
Wikus Lombard
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
40
Vaping Years:
1
Flavours:
Fruit
Changed my life completely. I was a 20 to 30 cigarettes a day smoker. More energy, better outlook on life. Everything about my health improved. Will never smoke again
Date Uploaded: 20231126
James Bruce
Age:
49
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
33
Vaping Years:
3
Flavours:
Fruit
In all the time I smoked combustible tobacco my health declined every year. It is not a sudden change so one never actually sees the whole picture. We put it down to getting older. Yet 10 years ago my wife started having asthma attacks. I snored heavily, had wheezing when breathing. Every year I would get chest infections and get horribly sick. Year after year winter seasons started to become the norm. I went to the Dr for a unrelated issue and was diagnosed with diabetes. It was in that Dr visit that all the other issues came up and more tests were done. Turned out I had extremely high blood pressure. That was a direct in direct result of smoking. It was clear that my life style was detrimental to my health. Massive dietary changes were made and I had to cut down on my smoking. That was when I approached our local vape shop and required my 1st vape device. I officially quit 26 August 2018. I no longer have chest issues. I do not snore at all. I feel 100 percent healthier. My wife has not had a asthma attack since. My smoking negatively affected my wife’s health. For that fact alone I cannot forgive myself.
Date Uploaded: 20210221
Eugene van Dyk
Age:
40
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
13
Vaping Years:
12
Flavours:
Fruit
My sleep apnea improved dramatically a few weeks after starting vaping. My shortness of breath went away. I feel a lot less dependent on the vape than I did on cigarettes.
I never intended to quit, as I believed I enjoyed smoking. I wanted to add vaping to my lifestyle and continue smoking. But I found that vaping was sufficient and since I felt so much better I chose to not use cigarettes again.
Date Uploaded: 20220815
Niel van Deventer
Age:
45
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
25
Vaping Years:
4
Flavours:
Dessert
If I did not buy my first set-up four years ago, I would still be puffing on tobacco to this day. Into the Vape shop one day. Quite smoking the next
Date Uploaded: 20200624
Jacques D. Mackenzie
Age:
33
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
12
Vaping Years:
3
Flavours:
Dessert
I was tired of emptying ash trays, having a smokey smelling house and car, stinky fingers or itching for a smoke. So much time wasted having to stand outside for 10min just to have a smoke. I decided enough is enough and on my 30th Birthday I chucked away the Chesterfields to replace with tasty flavors and a proper mod & RDA. I hunkered down for the next 2 days, not leaving the house because I will find an excuse to buy smokes again. So my only option for nicotine was vaping for those two days, afterwards tried a ciggie and it was utterly disgusting. So since my 30th birthday, 3 years ago, I’ve been smoke-free, healthy and thankful for the amazing alternative!
Date Uploaded: 20210717
Abraham Paulus Beetge
Age:
39
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
4
Vaping Years:
4
Flavours:
Dessert
My Granny died because of smoking her whole life. She never had a chance to change. She got emphysema. There were no alternatives in 1997. My father was also a smoker in his life. I’ve since then did my best to get off of smoking and successfully dis it with vaping. And also I’ve helped others get into vaping. It gives people a fighting chance. That other people never had and lost their lives because of there not being a healthier alternative. Its time we support smokers by changing bad habits into safer ones.
Date Uploaded: 20220121
Mohammed Tayab Ali
Age:
36
Current Smoker:
Yes
Smoking Years:
14
Vaping Years:
25
Flavours:
Breakfast/Bakery
Anita Tolkin
Age:
53
Current Smoker:
No
Smoking Years:
37
Vaping Years:
1
Flavours:
Like more than one type
Have been smoking for years. January 2023 I changed to vaping and I will never stop using it. When I used to smoked sigrettes I would cough like mad every morning and during the night. Now that I am vaping it stopped and I am so glad about it.
Date Uploaded: 20230722