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Dunedin mum Jodi Green, 31, had been smoking for 18 years when she was diagnosed with tongue cancer. She credits vaping with helping her quit smoking.
In November, I was diagnosed with a tumor in my tongue as a heavy smoker. I also knew the risk of cancer was there, but guess I had that 'it won't happen to me' attitude. I had face surgery, and lost part of my tongue. One of the first things the doctor told me was I needed to quit smoking yesterday.
The doctor also said I couldn't smoke during my recovery, because there is a huge risk of infection. My doctor recommended buying a vape and trying that.
I started vaping the next day and instantly was able to get rid of most of my 30-a-day habit. I love the variety vaping gives me, and I love being part of the community.
Aucklander Maraea started vaping just over a year ago. The 24-year-old started using e-cigarettes to help her give up smoking.
My partner and I would buy a 40-pack in the morning and that would be gone by that night, and we would have to buy another one that night or tell ourselves to wait until the morning. Vaping changed all of that.
I love vaping. I can't believe it was able to help us stop, and stop for good. I could only imagine how things would be if vaping had come around earlier.
I made my way down the nicotine ladder until I got myself to no nicotine, and a month or so after that I decided I didn't need to vape daily anymore, and it just became a social thing. I don't drink alcohol so vaping was my thing in these spaces.
My family and I LOVE that I no longer smell of cigarettes, and colleagues now know I only need short smoke breaks, as I can just turn it on, have a couple of puffs, and back to work I go.
Samantha Luskie has been vaping since 2016. The Christchurch single mother says it was the best decision she ever made. I had just become a single mother so I decided it was time to give up smoking cigarettes to better my health and financial situation.
It was the best decision I've ever made. I tried to quit smoking over 10 times in the last decade and the only success I had was during my pregnancy when they made me feel sick - and of course I fell straight back into the 10-plus cigarettes a day habit a few days after my son was born.
Vaping has given me the ability to wean down my nicotine intake... I haven't craved a cigarette in a long time and if I ever do get that urge when I'm stressed or not feeling the greatest, I can simply increase the nicotine level in my e-liquid temporarily without exposing myself or my family to the harsh chemicals found in cigarettes.
I feel healthier, fitter, cleaner and happier than I ever did when I was smoking - not only that I don't smell like an ashtray or stress about having bad breath anymore... bonus!