Smoking Alternative

I quit smoking several years ago and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had smoked for many years. Ironically, I started smoking when I became a nurse in the late 1960's. I worked in a hospital setting and when I would go on break most of the doctors and nurses in the break room would be smoking. Back then I knew more people who smoked than didn't.

I tried several "stop smoking aids" while trying to quit. The gum did not work for me. I didn't like how it tasted and it did not take away the urge to smoke. The nicotine patch worked for awhile but then I developed an allergy to the adhesive and had to stop using them. I, also, think the patch put more nicotine into my system than the amount of cigarettes I smoked. I had frequent dizziness when using the patch. What finally worked for me was a medication called Chantix. It has been a few years since I stopped smoking and I still crave a cigarette at times. Sometimes I give in and have one and then I feel very guilty.

I have recently learned of electronic cigarettes as an alternative to smoking. With these battery operated cigarettes there is no ash, no odor, and no tobacco and they even come in flavors!

I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.