I started smoking when I was 12, still in primary school due to peer pressure. I quite enjoyed it though, and carried on smoking into my 20’s. On my 22nd birthday I remember playing football on the beach and I could t even play for 5 mins before having a coughing fit. That was the point I decided I needed to quit smoking. I tried nicotine gum, the patch, cold turkey… My mother even suggested hypnosis, even though I didn’t try that. Eventually, at the age of 27, I came back to South Africa from a job abroad and went out for drinks with some friends of mine. He handed me a vape pen and said “Here, Try this”… I took a puff and was immediately blown away. The flavour was fantastic, it lasted longer than a cigarette, I could take a few puffs and put it in my pocket. This was great. I then went to the store the following day to get one. It wasn’t cheap in those days, but I had wasted so much money on trying to quit in the past that I decided to make the investment and go with it. I remember popping my box of cigarettes and a lighter in my car cubby hole when I got into the car. Well, let’s just say, that was 15 years ago. I haven’t touched a single since that day and I owe it all to vaping. My sleep improved, my health improved, my wife doesn’t moan that I snore at night either. I’m able to run and jog again and because of vaping, I’m able to run again.

Xoliswa Mkhumbeni•31 yrs•Benoni•Gauteng•10 years smoked•1 years smoke-free•Vape•Dessert / Sweet

I started smoking in 2016 when I was in college.Stopped smoking in 2026 after the doctor diagnosed me with stomach ulcers

Thabo Khumalo•31 yrs•Ekurhuleni Ward 18•Gauteng•11 years smoked•Vape•Fruit

Started smoking in my twenties, quit for two years, relapsed, and now using vaping as a stepping stone toward becoming completely smoke-free.

Siphosethu Sonjica•30 yrs•Johannesburg•Gauteng•9 years smoked•0.1 years smoke-free•Vape•Fruit

I started smoking cigarettes in varsity because most of my the friends, I made at the time were smokers so it was always around me. What started socially, I ended up being dependent on within 6 months of my journey, I was smoking around 20 cigarettes a day. I really didn't like how dependent I was on cigarettes as it became impossible to perform basic tasks without smoking, my breathing became a problem especially at night and as a father, it's not the quality of life I wanted especially for my daughter. I started speaking to people about it and they told me how they managed to quit, my consideration grew and then I started vaping, for the first two weeks, I was a dual user but managed to cutdown from 20 to 3 cigarettes a day and then I decided to stick to vaping. It's been 33 days now, some days are still tougher then others, especially once I've had a drink or I'm around smokers but I've stayed strong and hope to never go back. This platform also had a massive impact into turning my consideration into action as hearing peoples stories showed what's possible and practical. Vaping definitely made it easier and I'm waiting to hit the 3 month mark and then hopefully put down the Vape too.

Dominic Gericke•24 yrs•Nigel•Gauteng•10 years smoked•4 years smoke-free•Vape•Multiple flavours

I switched when the vapes came out and reduced my cigarette smoking to 0 and now i onlÿ vape like 1 a week

Michael Ryan•42 yrs•Nigel•Gauteng•16 years smoked•11 years smoke-free•Vape•Fruit

11 years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life: I quite smoking. It wasn't easy, but every challenge was worth it. Over the years, I've noticed improvements in my breathing, energy levels, and overall health, and I've never regretted leaving cigarettes behind. Today, I vape instead of smoking. It has helped me stay away from cigarettes for more than a decade, and for me, thats been a significant positive change. Looking back, I'm proud of how far I've come and grateful that I broke free from smoking. If you're thinking about quitting, know that lasting change is possible, and every smoke-free day is a step in the right direction.

Anonymous•50 yrs•Randburg•Gauteng•30 years smoked•1 years smoke-free•Vape•Fruit

I had tried vapes years back , but I didn’t like them , they made me cough when inhaling . I tried agin last year and have never looked back

Travis Blackburn•33 yrs•Tshwane Ward 78•Gauteng•7 years smoked•6 years smoke-free•Vape•Fruit

Been introduced to Siggarettes in school at the age of 13, group pressure pushed me to take up smoking and unfortunately got addicted to Siggarettes. Started vaping in 2020 full time as I had a very bad morning cough while smoking Siggarettes. Thought I'd try vaping. After vaping for about two weeks, I've noticed my morning cough dissappeared and my breathing felt more clear. I've been vaping for 6 years now and I have never felt better. I will however put down the Vape within a couple of years to be smoke free, I can tell I'm not addicted as I have gone multiple weeks without vaping and didn't feel the need to pick it up again, I'm vaping because it's my choice, everyone has they're things they use, some use alcohol, some use Siggarettes, some smoke cannabis. But I chose to vape. And yes to be very clear, vaping is not smoking. I thank you!

Anonymous•24 yrs•Randfontein Local Municipality•Gauteng•4 years smoked•Vape•Fruit

I started smoking cigarettes and only used to smoke a pack of ten a week and when I started working I went up to 4 packs a day

Queryn Viljoen•43 yrs•Gauteng•Gauteng•15 years smoked•14 years smoke-free•Vape•Dessert / Sweet

Vaping has made me feel 100 time beter then when I use to smoke.

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