I’ve been visiting some family in upstate NY, and just a week ago the cigarette tax raised the price of my Benson and Hedges Deluxe Ultra Lights up by about another dollar. These have always been a little more than something like a standard Marlboro. The realization of the now nearly $7.00 a day habit had me a bit on edge.

I’ve done the patch before – a couple of times. By about day 3 the nightmares and crazy dreams would begin. I had to move the patch quite often as my skin would turn red. And the price on the patches was just as bad as actually buying cigarettes. The difference was I didn’t get that wiggy feeling if I just continued to smoke.

I got very excited when I came across a video for NJOY. Not only did it sound less toxic than cigarettes, but the price could not be beat. Sure – I was going to have to buy the initial kit – but even so it came to less money over the course of a few weeks when I factored the savings on ordering the cartridges.

The offer could not be beat. If for any reason I was not happy with the product I could return it all for a refund, used, no questions asked.

So I had done it. I ordered and now it was sitting before me in a brown box.

From my research I knew the first thing I needed to do was charge the batteries.

I had just finished my morning coffee – as well as the last 3 cigarettes I had in a pack. 3 hours was the initial charging time suggested. The charge would be complete when the light turned green. I waited probably less than an hour and the charge was full.

The kit came with 4 cartridges. Full, medium, light, and a nicotine free. Light had been suggested for an ultra light smoker, so I proceeded to take the cartridge out of the well sealed container and load it into the chamber.

I screwed the battery into the other side and proceeded to take that first hit.

The first thing I noticed was a bit of a “whizzing noise” and realized I didn’t need nearly as much suction to get the smoke. I took a long slow drag, held it in for a moment, and watched as the smoke billowed.

Wow.

I immediately felt the nicotine like I would with a cigarette but noticed something a little different and actually quite nice. The flavor was like a smooth tobacco with possible undertones of strawberry. The smoke, which is actually a vapor did look like real smoke!

A few hours later I finally got a ride into town and had to pick up some Father’s Day cards and items, as well as a couple of packs of Marlboro’s for my other half who was working. I purchased 1 pack of my old cigarettes as a back-up just in case things got weird. I never opened it yesterday. I didn’t feel the need to.

Last night I did some work late on the computer. Instead of running down to the basement to have a cigarette I stayed put and e-smoked in the room I was working in. No hovering clouds of smoke to annoy anyone, and no trace of any odors you would usually encounter after someone smoked in a room. The windows were closed and the air was clean. No fear of smoke getting into the electronics of the computer either.

This morning I got up, made my coffee, and continued on with the NJOY. Curiosity got the best of me and I decided to open the B&H just to see how it would be after using the e-cigarette.

Strangely, my old cigarette left a bit of a dirty taste in my mouth. It also just was not as enjoyable. I put it out and went back for the Njoy. Later in the day my fiance came home and was shocked I had not used the cigarettes.

I am ordering some more cartridges, and I don’t want to look back. I am thinking of getting the lights and the nicotine free and alternating.

This is looking a whole lot healthier than smoking, it tastes better, and I think when I am really ready to quit this will be the ticket.