A Reflection on Quitting Smoking

A year ago today, I was still a smoker. I enjoyed waking up in the morning and having a coffee along with a smoke. However, after smoking for a few years, I was starting to feel all the negative effects that come with cigarette smoking. I would get coughing fits, and the smell of cigarettes constantly lingered on all of my clothes. Cigarette smoking also made physical activity more strenuous, as I was constantly gasping for breath. I love sports and play hockey along with downhill skiing and golf, so I no longer wanted my performance to be hampered due to cigarettes.

Visiting Times Square the night before I quit

Last year while in New York City for New Years Eve 2010, I decided to follow my new years resolution decision to quit smoking for good. Having done some research prior to making my resolution, I learned about both Swedish Snus and e-cigarettes and their potential for use as reduced harm alternatives to cigarette smoking. Since then, I have enjoyed using both snus and e-cigarettes (my first e-cigarette was an M401, and I still have it today!).

The M401 e-cigarette, my first e-cig!

Today, almost a year since I quit smoking, I use both snus and an e-cigarette, alternating between them when I feel like it. Despite enjoying the occasional cigar every once and a while, I haven’t touched another cigarette since December 31st, 2009, at 11:56 PM. Since quitting, I have felt much better and never get coughing fits anymore. I am also no longer forced to go outside to smoke, as neither snus or e-cigarettes create an offensive smoke like cigarettes do. Thanks to my increased lung capacity, I find myself no longer out of breath while partaking in physical activity.

For those of you who still smoke cigarettes, I highly recommend making quitting smoking your number one resolution for New Years 2011. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll also be pleasantly surprised at how you can continue enjoying nicotine in far safer ways than cigarette smoking.

A popular brand of Swedish Snus