I didn’t quit smoking. I didn’t stop smoking. I switched to a less harmful alternative. I chose to try a “cig-a-like” and I didn’t want a cigarette within 48 hours, and my wife chose to do the same thing.
My journey was no different than most others who accidentally found an alternative to smoking that actually worked with no withdrawal and no noticeable side effects.
After more than four years, I’ve found myself in a cesspool of adults – specifically professionals with titles and “I love me” walls – who pretend to have no common sense.
I take that back, there are side effects to not smoking with my chosen path.
Reading. LOTS of reading.
Research. Finding answers myself.
Asking questions and “networking”. I have found that if I don’t know or understand, someone will, without fail, answer my question both truthfully and in a way I will understand.
Blogging. To get what I do learn & understand out to others who hopefully will find it – and understand it.
Twitter. Immense knowledge and reference from worldwide advocates.
Questioning.
I am constantly questioning everything I thought I knew I was told about smoking.
Tobacco Harm Reduction.
Health and government organizations don’t subscribe to tobacco harm reduction. With them, you will find cessation.
According to Merriam-Webster, “cessation” is to stop.
: a temporary or final ceasing (as of action) : stop mutually agreed to a cessation of fighting
What “organizations” and government are doing is promoting a highly profitable and repeatable business.
The vulnerability of someone with great expectations isn’t considered, it is mocked.
They wrongfully blame the consumer. They blatantly blame “nicotine“.
What they “give away” are products made by pharmaceutical companies and an air of authority, combined with an illusion of an answer to help someone stop smoking.
The reality of these methods and the failure rates is dismal and never discussed.
Entertain yourself.
Call a quitline and ask them about the success rates with the patch or gum.
Success?
Well, I’ll let the display of an “expert” organization speak for themselves below:
What you do not see promoted is tobacco harm reduction.
For Life.
For the record, I am not against the patch, gum, lozenge, hypnosis, a self-help book, accupuncture, heat not burn, snus, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other alternatives.
Only if used with extreme caution and understanding the well documented side effects, medication is also avaible to help someone choose to stop smoking.
I am, however against giving improper or bias information to those who don’t know any better and rely on “trusted” organizations, public health & government officials.
I will do this until I can’t type, call, scream, tweet or blog any longer.
Think of the possibilities.
I am a consumer. I have no ulterior motive.
I take that back, I have ulterior motive. The choice of smoker, the non-smoker and education of the consumer.
I have proudly joined the Board of Directors of THR4Life (Tobacco Harm Reduction 4 Life) along with 5 others:
Kevin Price, Lindsay Stroud, Skip Murray, Jenny Ho and David Goerlitz.
This group of individuals are strong, opinionated, intelligent and, without question, looking out for the consumer.
Join our facebook page here:
Tobacco Harm Reduction 4 Life is are a Public Charity 501c3 and we are Tax-Deductible for bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the IRS.
THR4Life
As David Goerlitz has said, “The gloves are off”.
You can find me here trying to be cordial on Facebook
You can find me here being a bit more evil on Twitter
You can also find me on LinkedIn
Have you met my friends at vapers.org.uk?
Medical, Research, Science Professionals:
Research:
Politics:
A Billion Lives
Your comments are NEVER filtered, always encouraged and welcome on this blog.
There is definitely more to come.
Keep ON #Vaping On.
Kevin
So if I try up to 30 attempts at suicide will I succeed? I mean feeling like a failure is an awful space to occupy. Sigh…… (with emphasis )
“I didn’t quit smoking. I didn’t stop smoking.” Okay; here it is….cranky’ at it’s core. I’m not a lawyer nor am I a literature guru so let’s just pretend I am a jail house lawyer and trailer park trash mouth-piece.
” I can tell you with all certainty that from the very moment I put down my last cigarette no tobacco smoke has entered my lungs to this day which is nearly four years. Pop quiz!
1. When did vapor become smoke?
2. If I’m (as you say) switched to Champix am I smoking still?
Rules….stay on topic of smoking
Good Luck!
I have a smoke every month or 2 or 3 🙂 Does that make me a smoker?
I switched to an electronic nicotine replacement system, 3 years ago, the smell of combustible of cigarettes bothers me now. Does that make me a “smoker”? If a “smoker” switches and joins the Nicorette Patch Club 😉 are they still a smoker? pondering………