Since writing for The Safe Cig, I have shared very little about my life outside of what pertains directly to my smoking and quitting. At the request of one of the company founders, I shared about my school years earlier this week. Tonight, I am sharing some raw emotions after receiving a call about someone [...]

Smoking is a long-standing addiction that has spanned centuries. In Europe during the 18th century, smoking was banned as the ill health effects were noted. One century later, a British pharmacology textbook stated that smoking tobacco would treat respiratory disorders and diseases. Only a half-century later, tobacco was referenced as "coffin nails" to a person in major US publication. The way tobacco has evolved over the centuries is intriguing and ironic.

So is the thought that it just takes luck to quit smoking. Smoking is addictive. Nicotine is compared to major illegal drugs - heroine most commonly. The knowledge medical professionals have on how a body withdraws from heroine is similar when compared to the withdrawal process of nicotine. Intense cravings, mood swings, and major depression accompany any person looking to end an addiction to a substance that alters how a person feels about himself and his life. Continue Reading

Pregnant Women who Smoke May Cause Developmental Delays in Children

In a new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, scientists at the University at Buffalo - Research Institute on Addictions and the School of Public Health and Health Professions, researchers looked at the impact of social and environmental factors on smoking cessation in a sample of low-income, pregnant smokers. The researchers are trying to shed light on why pregnant women do not quit smoking and other questions related to the prevalence and dangers of smoking while pregnant.

In the study, they found that 47 percent of women who smoked also had a partner who smoked. What surprised the researchers, however, was the finding that when a woman's friends smoked, the probability that these pregnant women would continue to smoke increased. Gregory G. Homish, PhD, UB assistant professor in community health and health behavior and first author on the study says that it isn't entirely clear why the influence of friends was greater than the influence of family members. Dr. Homish stated, "It may be related to the amount of time women spend with friends compared to relatives. It is also possible that the nature of the relationship is important to consider." Homish continued on to state "Side-stream smoke readily enters the bloodstream and may have significant physiological and neurological influences on the fetus." This statement is made with great warning as side-stream (secondhand) smoke contains more chemicals and carcinogens than first-hand smoke.

Rina Das Eiden PhD, co-researcher and senior research scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions says the finding "may point to the need for including the woman's social network and partner in smoking cessation treatment." The findings are part of a larger research project known as Prenatal and Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Effects on Child Regulation, conducted from 2006 - 2011 the University at Buffalo.  Researchers studied pregnant smokers' social networks, behavior and overall health, as well as the health of their newborn children, up to the age of two. Continue Reading

Without the anguish of ditching tobacco.

I love ecigs so much because they made me finally quit smoking without any problems and without ever going back to analog cigarettes.

It is so nice to not have to go outside to smoke when I am at a function. I no longer have to leave a family gathering early because I need to have my nicotine fix. My husband no longer is rolling the window all the way down in the car on my side in the winter time. I no longer have that stink on my clothes and in my hair. I can kiss my family and my husband with out having to taste like an ashtray.

I no longer have to hear my doctor and dentist preaching to me about how I need to quite smoking tobacco and what it is doing to my body and my teeth. The girl that cleans my teeth says that I don't have those terrible brown stains on my teeth any more.

I have much more energy and stamina. E-cigarettes have changed my life. Continue Reading

More than money, it saves lives, too!

Everyone knows the common expression of the ex-smoker, "If I can quit, anyone can quit."  I've always wanted to be able to say this as encouraging words to someone who was trying to fight the "quit smoking" battle.  In order to say this, you first have to be quit yourself.

I started smoking at the age of 11.  Now, being 27, with a 5 year old of my own I often wondered why in the world I even started to begin with.  I have tried to quit smoking so many times and had no hope at all that I could quit.  That was until, SafeCig.

With SafeCig I am saving around $150 a month.  It's cheaper than cigarettes and my insurance through my work is cheaper because I am now a non-smoker.  I can go into places or out with my boyfriend and not worry about smelling like a perfumed ashtray.  I have even let my smoker friends try my SafeCig and they all are planning on getting one. Continue Reading

Even for former smokers!

I love the fact that I have been able to quit smoking regular cigarettes after trying the patch, gum and other means.  I have a health situation that mandates that I quit smoking, including a heart condition. My cardiologist has said that in moderation, a controlled nicotine e-cig in moderation would be no more harmful than caffeine from coffee. It gets rid of the carbon monoxide, tar, other carcinogenic chemicals and is much safer than smoking.  He also liked the idea that I could step down the amount of nicotine in the cartridges gradually.

Using the patch and gum did not work for me, but on January 5 I got my e-cig order and have not had a desire to smoke since. I "vape" my e-cig and it satisfies not only the nicotine craving, but also the "habit" of puffing on the cig and feeling the vapor "hit".  This is working when nothing else did for me.  Continue Reading

In an article at SJ-R.com, the digital version of The State Journal Register, Dr. Ellison shares his experiences as a former smoker and offers advice and information on alternative choices to quit smoking.

Recently, Harvard School of Public Health released a report that stated people are not more likely to quit using NRTs than they are with their own will power. Dr. Ellison, a former closet smoker, went to great lengths to ensure his patients never knew he smoked. He, like many smokers, know the risks of smoking. When Dr. Ellison set out to quit smoking, he used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of a patch. He explains to patients that quitting smoking is 'extremely difficult' but encourages his patients to think of the events they could miss should they not quit smoking.

Dr. Ellison notes that smokers who want to quit don't always need professional assistance. It is noted that over-the-counter products -  nicotine patches, lozenges, and gums -  are available. Additionally, smokers use alternative medicine such as mediation, massage, or acupuncture. Some chiropractors perform auriculotherapy, which is also said to help with smoking cessation. Dr. Ellison even brought up that some people find electronic cigarettes helpful. Continue Reading