F E AT U R E
DIARY OF A VAPER
wi th L e e W hy te , S c o t l a n d M an ager at H ealt hi er Smoker
t the age of 16 I started
my first job at a greyhound
racing stadium. Everyone I
worked with was much older
and most of them smoked. One day a
group of us (me being the only nonsmoker) happened to be on our break.
Now, I don't know what gave me the
urge, but probably down to curiosity,
I asked for a cigarette and sparked up.
The day after, I had a craving for another
one. So I went and bought 10 cigarettes.
Smoking soon had an over powering
hold of me... and my habit began.
Over the first year of being a smoker, my
intake increased from 10 a day, rising
quickly to 20. By the end of the year,
I was on 30 cigarettes a day.
Fast forward 10 years and now I am an
avid vaper and managing three vape
stores in Scotland.
How did this come to be?
It all started two years ago. My health
A
“To he lp s om e o n e
give u p s m oki n g
and h e lp th e m o n
t he i r journ ey to b e a
heal th i e r va p e r is S O
sati s f yi n g. It’s t r u ly a
great f e e li n g.”
for a 24 year old was becoming very
worrying for my family and girlfriend.
Every morning when I woke up, I’d have
my first cigarette of the day and rush into
the bathroom to cough up the most vile
greenish black substance. I couldn't walk
up a flight of stairs or run for the bus
without getting breathless and feeling
66 ISSUE 03 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
faint. Smoking had that much of a tight
grip on me, yet I continued regardless.
At the time, I was working in a deadend job selling windows for an energy
company. I had zero motivation, rubbish
hours and the pay was poor.
One afternoon I was on my lunch break
in Glasgow city centre with my last £30
to my name, when I spotted a small
electronic cigarette stall. The sign said:
‘Stop smoking for £20’. I made my way
over and started speaking to the chap. At
first I was very sceptical. He gave me all
the basic information needed and
I bought my first starter kit.
Best decision ever!
After only one month of vaping, my
health improved dramatically – no more
coughing or breathlessness. I even
helped my colleagues at the time to
make the switch and got around 10
people in the office off the cigarettes.
They were all over the moon and joked
with me saying, “Lee you should sell
these, you’re in the wrong job.”
A seed was planted in my mind. With a
better outlook in life and feeling at my
most healthiest in 10 years, I started
searching for a job in a vape shop. After
a lot of C.V. spreading I heard back from
Healthier Smoker where I got a start in
the Parkhead store.
With my newfound job, it was amazing
to see customers’ faces when they
returned. A common quote was:
“I can't believe it works! I have not had
a cigarette for a few weeks.” To help
someone give up smoking and help
them on their journey to be a healthier
vaper is SO satisfying. It’s truly a great
feeling. After about eight months in my
store watching the customer base grow
and grow, I was offered a promotion to
run our 3 Scottish stores. As yo u can
imagine, I grabbed the opportunity with
both hands.
It’s great to travel to different places
and meet vapers from all over. The joy
of meeting new people with the same
interests, and sharing our success
stories is wonderful. It really does feel
like we’re one big community.
I haven’t touched a cigarette for over two
years now and would never look back.
I also enjoy cloud-chasing and we can't
do that with a 10 pack of cigarettes.
I urge all vapers to help any smokers
they know, to give up the cigarettes.
Let’s make this vaping family even bigger
than what it is now. Let us all share
the positives, the success stories and
educate people to a new freedom. Most
importantly... VAPE ON!!
To know more about Lee and his
fabulous vapes, hop onto Facebook and
search for Healthier Smoker.