F E AT U R E
DIARY OF A VAPER
w i th A l e x Trott
his feature usually focuses
on full-time vapers who
have given up smoking for
good. What about those
who are on the journey from smoking
into vaping? What about those who are
fighting the good fight, and are actively
trying to quit smoking, whilst still under
the addictive influence of tobacco?
Responding to your numerous messages
of wanting to read about vapers who are
also smokers, we caught up with a dual
vaper and smoker Alex Trott. Here is
Alex’s story.
My name is Alex Trott and I’m a General
Manager at Yo! Sushi in Derby. I am
what you’d call a dual vaper-smoker. On
average, I smoke around 5 cigarettes a
day, and pick up my mod to vape around
twice as much. I think it’s important to
inform others about the steady progress
from smoking to vaping, because that’s
what it is – a steady journey. My ideal
goal is to become tobacco free – that is,
zero traditional tobacco cigarettes, and
I’m finding vaping is helping me with this.
Vaping is a great way to wean yourself of
cigarettes, and I’m finding it easier than
I thought.
I wanted to quit smoking because of
obvious health reasons. I’ve tried to
quit for a few years now, especially with
pressure from friends and family. I’m
finding I like smoking less and less, as
if I’m losing enjoyment. What I do know,
is that I’ve been smoking for around 14
years, and I need to stop soon.
I found out about vaping when I was
house-sharing a few years ago. My
flat-mate at the time had a large, boxy
vaporiser, which I think cost around
£150. I researched vaping for a good
T
102 ISSUE 05 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
few weeks before deciding
anything, speaking to vapers
and vaping stores along the
way. I soon bought my first
starter kit for around £30
which lasted me over a year.
My Assistant Manager at
Yo! Sushi vapes too, and he
recommended VIP vapes.
Their customer service is
second to none, and their
product range is extensive
too.
Of course I was always a little
wary about vaping – there
are so many horror stories out there.
“ O f co u rse I wa s a lways a l i t t l e
wa r y a bou t va p i n g – t h ere a re so
m a ny h o rror stori es ou t t h ere. Wi t h
m o re e v iden ce a n d st u di es b ei n g relea sed t h at va p i n g i s t h e h ea lt h i er
a lte r n at ive to smok i n g, I felt i t wa s
wo rt h t r yi n g va p i n g, i n a seri ou s
at temp t to qu i t smoki n g.”
With more evidence and studies being
released that vaping is the healthier
alternative to smoking, I felt it was worth
trying vaping, in a serious attempt to quit
smoking.
I started off on 24mg nicotine strength;
this decreased over time to 16mg. Now,
I’m on 8mg. My ideal scenario is to be on
zero nicotine and quit vaping altogether,
but in the meantime, if I’m smoking less,
it can only be a good thing. I’m currently
vaping Pink Lemonade on my TECC
mod, which I’m finding user-friendly and
portable. I also usually add around an
eighth of menthol to my e-liquids, to give
it a minty edge.
Now when I smoke, I’m already
regretting it after a few drags. Smoking
is a habit, and one which I’m trying to
break. The second half of a cigarette
is never that nice, and I think it’s only
a matter of time before the first half
a cigarette is off-putting to me too. In
comparison, when I vape, I enjoy tasting
the different flavours and I know I’m
taking steps in the right direction to a
healthier me. I have also found that I’m
less out of breath. I do feel healthier and
less wheezy in morning.
To those of you out there who are
thinking of vaping, do your research
and take the plunge. Go to your local
vape store, ask questions. If in doubt,
ask some more. My experience, and
those of vaping friends, is that these
vape stores are very helpful. They’ll
explain the different starter kits available,
and recommend vape gear to suit your
needs. Good luck!