FEATURE
FEATURE
DIARY
OF A VAPER
Featuring Jonathon Payne
‘ JONNY ’
Jonathon Payne , a waste and refuse collector , from Stratford , London , tells Vapouround how he went from smoking forty cigarettes a day for twenty-two years to vaping . This is his story … Like many ex-smokers , I started smoking at a young age and for me it was very young indeed . In fact since the age of 11 , I smoked for twenty-two years . There were days when I would smoke forty cigarettes a day and I would wake up coughing and had problems catching my breath after a short run down the street . I was aware of the health detriments of smoking and the different types of diseases caused by smoking such as cancer and lung disease . However , that didn ’ t stop me from craving for a cigarette . And then it happened . I suddenly realised what a fortune I was spending on cigarettes . The amount of tax I had to pay on cigarettes was rising annually and becoming more and more expensive . It was then I decided to find a way to quit the bad habit . At the end of October last year , I heard about a mini look-alike cigarettes which you can smoke indoors . I became curious and decided to do some research about this online . I came across “ Indoor Smokers ” on YouTube and realised there was a healthier , safer way to fix my nicotine cravings with an electronic cigarette . Shortly after watching numerous e-cigarette reviews online , I bought my first e-cigarette and once I started vaping , gone were my tobacco cravings . November 2015 was the highlight of my year as it was the month I quit smoking . It was a great way to end the year as an ex-smoker and start the new year with vaping .
38 ISSUE 09 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
After a month of vaping , I noticed a vape store called Vapour Gallery on my bus ride home from work . It instantly caught my attention as I became more familiar with the vaping equipment that was advertised in the store window . When I walked into Vapour Gallery , I felt very welcomed and people helped me to pick out the perfect mod and e-juice that would cater to my vaping needs . They helped me find a product which I would enjoy vaping . At the time I was introduced to vaping , the store seemed the most knowledgeable as they had a collection of mods and e-liquids to purchase . There was also a sense of community in Vapour Gallery which I appreciated . This is one of the main things I love about vaping – the friendly vaping community . From the very first time I purchased my products from Vapour Gallery , I have continued to be a loyal customer and learned to develop a friendly relationship with the store manager as well as others . From vaping , I have developed a lot of confidence by talking to other avid vapers I ’ ve met at different vape events as well as at vape stores , all of whom I ’ ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion on vaping . Now that I have been vaping for over a year , I have witnessed the positive effects of vaping . I hardly go through any coughing during the day compared to when I was smoking . Much to my advantage , e-cigarettes are more costeffective in comparison to cigarettes . Vaping has improved my health on a much larger scale , I feel healthier than I ever did when I was smoking especially since I know the ingredients in an e-cigarette are less harmful than a cigarette .