F E AT U R E
DIARY OF A VAPER
By A l e x We ave r
i, my name is Alex and I’m
here to tell you my story
of how I transitioned from
smoking to vaping.
I was your typical 10-20 a day smoker
and had been since the age of about 14.
Like most, my smoking stemmed from
peer pressure and the need to fit in.
What I didn’t realise, is that this quickly
became an addiction. I struggled on and
off for years, thinking of reasons why
I didn’t need cigarettes – but I always
found myself returning to smoking time
and time again.
When a family member had a smoking
related illness, it really affected me. The
impact of this news was immediate and
I quickly moved onto vaping. A couple of
lads I used to work with started vaping
and it seemed to work for them, so I
followed suit.
I started on your typical eGo pen on a
high nicotine juice. I felt much better after
only a few weeks of vaping. My chest
wasn’t so tight and my cravings were
nowhere near as bad, especially after
food and at night.
I scoured the Internet looking for new
devices and vape stores for advice.
Eventually my local vape shop set
me up with some vape gear. My first
real mod and tank wereas an Innokin
Coolfire 40w with a Sub Tank Nano. It
was then I realised that I actually really
enjoyed vaping, as the Innokin was more
satisfying than the eGo pen. It was soon
after that I quit cigarettes completely.
Vaping has literally improved my health; I
can breathe more easily, I feel better and
it has made me a lot happier too. I swiftly
moved onto higher powered devices
and bigger tanks, whilst simultaneously
H
94 ISSUE 07 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
lowering the strength of nicotine.
After comprehensive study and research
into OHMS LAW battery safety, I started
on my first mech mod and RDA. Since
then I have steered heavily towards
mechs as they are my preferred choice
of vape.
I’m using the Endless Mech 18650 with
Endless RDA and DC Vapes Fresh to
Death. I am also on my Cuboid with
the Cleito RTA (The Yorkshire Vaper
the O.C) and my SMPL mech with my
Tsunami. This is with Cuttwood’s Mega
Melons.
I am fortunate in that a lot of my friends
vape, so for me, it can be quite social. I
have a lot of friends on social media in
various vape groups. This is fantastic, as
I know where to go when seeking vaping
advice.
When it comes to family, most of them
don’t really like vaping or see the point of
it. My argument that vaping is better than
smoking falls on deaf ears. It’s more than
just smoking – it’s become a pastime for
me too. I can spend time building coils
and researching the different styles and
metal types for vaping.
Vaping in Worcester (where I live), has
taken off remarkably well. There are
a few vape shops in Worcester, and I
have only been to one vape meet so
far (at my local ‘Vape Sense’ store). It
was fantastic, and the social factor was
great. We had everything from cloud
competitions to prizes and giveaways.
More importantly, it was a great chance
for likeminded people to meet and
socialise and vape together.
The Vaper Expo was an amazing event
and the amount of people attending
was staggering. I couldn’t believe just
how many different vendors were there.
I tried some amazing juice lines and
made quite a few purchases. The NNA
advocate gave an informative talk about
where we stand with the TPD which I
found to be extremely helpful.
As for the TPD, I know full well what the
UK is in for. While the restrictions are a
lot worse in other EU member states,
the UK will be impacted. We can but
hope that a post-TPD world will be fair to
vapers.
My advice to anyone who is considering
smoking is this. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT
TO LOSE? I can’t say that vaping is for
everyone, but over two million people
in the UK alone can’t be wrong. Every
vaper has gone through the exact same
thing as you have. I’m sure I can speak
for vapers when I say that you won’t
regret it. If it helps you get off cigarettes
that can only be a good thing.