Although I never had any issues with mine, since writing this post I’ve heard from a number of people who’ve had nothing but trouble with BluCigs, so don’t take this post as an endorsement of BluCigs, it’s only my personal experience with them.
Totally unrelated to anything web development, but hey, this is the blog so sue me!
Full disclaimer: I discovered BluCigs through a client, and we built the website mentioned below, so keep that in mind when considering my (probably biased) opinion.
Anyway, I’ve been a smoker for about 10 years and have tried to quit like 10 times. Once took for about a year but then I got back on the wagon (or is it off the wagon? I can never keep those addiction metaphors straight 
). The problem I’ve always had was that none of the smoking-cessation products out there are anything like taking a drag on a real cigarette, so not only do you have to fight to kick your nicotine habit, but you also have to break your other, related habits…like having a cigarette with coffee, with a beer, after dinner, the simple act of taking a drag is somewhat addicting in itself, the social aspect is missed, and taking that 10 minute break every few hours is also missed.
I did a little research and found that smoking cessation products only have about a 5% success rate or so, which is no surprise. So, a while back I heard about electronic cigarettes and, being the technology-obsessed geek that I am had to give them a shot. I did a bit of research and finally settled on BluCigs, which I’ve been pretty happy with. (You can read a Blu Cigs review here.) I mostly went with them because they are the only company I was able to find that offers a carrying case that functions as a battery charger…and I heard the batteries on these things die at the most inconvenient times and that’s not something I wanted to deal with.
Anyway, I bought my first ecig about 3 or 4 months ago and it was so easy to switch to that from regular cigarettes it was funny. Then, I was able to ween myself off of that device altogether and haven’t smoked a single cigarette, electronic or otherwise, for a month now. Occasionally I still get the urge, but I’m able to resist, partly because it’s somewhat comforting knowing that my ecig is sitting there on my desk just in case I need it.
I did read about the FDA’s comments on the devices, which, after doing quite a bit of research I wasn’t phased by because their warning was based on a “study” that was far from scientific in any way.
I was wondering if anyone else has tried these things and what their experience was?
I quit recently (3 months ago) using Zyban. Easiest thing I have ever done. Easier than WordPress! Smoked for 30 years. Luv your site.
I not only promote the prodcut in South Africa, but having using the product for the last month. Since starting I have reduced my nicotine by almost half to what I was smoking, I am feeling better and the aim is to eventually stop for good
Hey John,
I just found your site and am impressed by the WordPress info you have here.
On the smoking, or lack of, this worked for me although may not work for all, just another method.
I decided I was a non-smoker. The benefit of this was not apparent for a while but it worked. Later on I realised when people asked me to go for a smoke my response was different and so was theirs. I would answer no I don’t smoke, so they wouldn’t ask again.
The other times I quit I would answer No I have quit. Then you get the’Oh come on, my shout’ etc, etc.
Anyway, keep the great WordPress info coming!
Cheers,
Matt
You’ve hit on a good point there Matt… you kind of have to trick yourself into believing you’re a non-smoker. It definitely helps to curb that instant yes reaction when someone asks you to go have a smoke break.