I receive success stories all the time from people who have watched my reviews or have had questions answered by me and because of that, they have successfully made the transition to vaping or continue to vape.
I also receive some very nice emails from folks who thank me for what I do. I very much appreciate these as well.
They give me the encouragement and the pat on the back that validates what I’m doing and makes all the time and effort involved worth while.
These are my trophies proudly displayed. This is what it’s all about. This is why I do what I do.
To those of you who have written me and allowed me to post your stories… Thank you!
To those of you who need encouragement… I hope some of these stories give you what you need.
To me… These give ME encouragement to continue doing what I do. So I THANK YOU again!
LATEST SUCCESS STORIES
From Bruce
Phil,
First thank you for all you do for the community. You really helped me out years ago to transition from V2 Cig-a-likes to mods and tanks. My wife and I really quit 8 years ago and used various versions of V2 Cig-a-likes for about 3 or 4 years.
Anyway I have now have three of Innokin’s new products. My wife and I both use Kroma-R mods. I also have had a Zenith Pro and just got a Ares 2 on Friday. My wife and I both also use a Vaperesso tanks that take the GT Coil line.
Both of us have gradually transitioned from MTL vapers to RDL vapors because as you and Dimi have often discussed MTL tanks got really hard to find in vape shops where we could try them out. My theory is that my vape shops primary focus was selling e-liquid and customers go through a lot more eliquid with SubOhm tanks. Not sure if that was the only reason but probably one of the larger reasons.
Zenith Pro… One of my favorite tanks of all time. It can be a pretty tight MTL and a pretty open RDL. I love the ability to start dialing things down from a air flow perspective with a 1 ohm coil so I can get use to lower wattage higher nic…which I am finding allows me to vape longer between charges and go through a lot less eliquid.
Ares 2… This is my first RTA or rebuildable of any kind. Your instructional video was OUTSTANDING and I got a usable setup done on my second try. Lesson learned cut with the grain of the cotton NOT across it : ) No good it falls apart! Would love a more open/RDL version of the Ares in the future.
Again thank you so much for everything you and Dimi do! It has been great to see and hear Jen and Wayne. Have had many a twitter conversation with Jen about getting started with mixing my own juice and Wayne’s videos have also been extremely helpful.
BTW I mixed up a batch of Pineapple Orange Freeze…with a little less WS-23. Once I finish my current tank of juice in my Ares 2 I’m going to give it a try.
Bruce
From Pierre
So one year ago today I walked into my local vape shop with the intention to quit smoking. The Aegis mini was my first kit. Me not knowing better sub ohm was not the style I was looking for. Shortly after that I picked up the aspire nautilus which really let me know that this could work for me definitely after i figured out I’m a fruit guy. Then looking to save as much as possible i googled best mtl rta(now that i knew what that was) it led me to the ares. S/O to Phil and Dimi now I did dual use for 6 mos be 4 i quit the stinkies (going on 7 months cig free soon). However long it took does not matter, what matters is you stick to it and remember why you started vaping in the first place and you can make it too, finding your flavor helps this tenfold why would you want a nasty cig when you could have blue raspberry lemonade sorry for babbling on just wanted to get this out in case it might help someone else sorry for the grammar also
From John
Hi Phil,
Judging by your productivity and from having heard you say it many times, you’re busy. You’ve also said you read every email you get. To me, that means I should keep it short and I’ll try to do that.
We’re about the same age, but I don’t wear Sketchers and I hadn’t heard of vaping until 2014! At that time, I walked into a local vape shop and left with some variation of a Vision Spinner, a ProTank, 6mg e-liquid and threw away a pack of cigarettes. I had no idea what I was doing with these new products, so I started researching. I found you on YouTube. You made complete sense to me and I want to thank for giving me direction, the information I needed, resources, knowledge and the incentive to stay with it, which I have.
I never did become one of the ‘Vaping Bros.” I’ve never built a coil, though I’d like to learn (the Ares 2 is at the top of my list.) I’ve never been to a cloud comp and never will. Instead, my curiosity turned into a commitment to help others with harm deduction. I’m a writer and advertising graphic designer so I offered my services to an innovative vape shop in exchange for e-liquid!
In 2016, NJ was facing legislation that would ban flavored e-liquid. I’m not on FB or Twitter so, I reached out to you at that time in an email. You gave me Dan Donahue’s contact info. That started my official efforts as an advocate. I’ve been in contact with Greg Connelly, NJVRC and, to date, 47 legislators in my state. No need to tell you how, 4 years later, the flavor ban in NJ ending things… Including my services to my local vape shop (now closed) and my e-liquid supply. As an aside-A big problem we’re finding in NJ is that many online vendors will not ship to us. Possession and out-of-state sales are not illegal here, but the law is written so poorly that no one knows how to interpret it. I will not let my government un-do my hard work and legislators don’t get to dictate how I keep myself in good health. Right now things are pretty bad here, but I’ll figure it out in time.
Please forgive the rant. Now to my final point:
Your “Do You Get It Now” video from April 18, 2020 stuck with me.
My assessment of the situation is the same. On May 1, 2020, I was watching The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. She had a graphic behind her that read, “CDC, Are You OK?” At the end of the program, she asked her viewers to send her anything they had that might clarify what is going on with the CDC and their distinct lack of credibility. I used the opportunity to make my own statement publicly about how and why CDC is unquestionably in part to blame for the COVID-19 catastrophe.
I’m including a copy of my letter to MSNBC at the bottom of this email. My point in doing that is to let you know there are a lot of us that feel as passionately as you do and are doing what we can with you for a common cause. I understand completely if the letter below is too cumbersome to get through and that it may not be something you’re interested in reading. There is no obligation. But, if nothing else, part of my inspiration to make the effort in writing it was from all the years of work you and Dimitri have done for all of us. Thank you both for all of it.
Yours (But, not a Vaping Bro),
John
Re: “CDC, Are You OK?”
Dear Rachel,
This correspondence might relate directly to your call for information on your May 1, 2020 broadcast. However, it’s a small crack in a large wall. I’m certain something in this is part of a broader picture.
CDC, FDA, WHO, The Surgeon General and certainly, Stanton Glantz and Dharma Bhatta have lost a critical amount of credibility and trust by demonstrating blunder after blunder through a false narrative guided by ‘convenient facts’ and biases which were clearly, at this point, directed by sources other than science and accurate data.
To bring in another player, on September 11, 2018, Scott Gottlieb, from a statement on FDA’s website, acknowledged approximately half a million people die of smoking related illnesses each year in the United States. He explained that it is combustion, not nicotine that is killing people and, of electronic cigarettes and nicotine vaping, he said further, “We saw an important opportunity. We saw a chance to leverage the potential benefits of new and non-combustible technology to allow more adults to get nicotine from sources that could pose a lot less harm than smoking cigarettes. We continue to believe in this central concept.” However, relating to teen vaping, he continued with, “Unfortunately, I now have good reason to believe that it’s reached nothing short of an epidemic proportion of growth.”
CDC’s website and dumpster fire of misinformation on this subject includes statements such as, “You have an important role to play in addressing this public health epidemic.” It takes very little research to find innumerable false assessments by CDC on the, “teen vaping epidemic.” Volumes of incorrect, non-scientific information lacking peer review and data had been published prior to what they called the “EVALI epidemic.” EVALI was first mentioned by CDC in April of 2019, over a year after their anti-vaping campaign was rooted deeply into our culture. Public Health learns of a new “vaping illness” that is making people sick and killing others. As of February 18, 2020, CDC reported 2,807 cases of hospitalization with 68 of those as confirmed deaths.
Available information indicates there are approximately thirteen million adults who have successfully transitioned from combustible tobacco to commercially available vapor nicotine products. It’s reasonable to consider there are larger numbers but many people have declined to admit the use of these products due to the stigma created courtesy of CDC and company. Nicotine vaping products were first introduced in the United States in approximately 2007. As far as has been reported publicly, there are no cases of disease or death caused by electronic cigarettes or nicotine vaping. The only harm caused is under-aged use, which, to my way of thinking, is a behavioral problem rather than epidemiology.
CDC ignored significant studies from Dr. David Abrams and Dr. Raymond Niaura from the Department of Epidemiology and Behavioral Science at NYU School of Global Public Health. Similar studies came from Dr. Michael Segal of Boston University School of Public Health, Konstantinos Farsalinos, MD from Onassis Cardiac Surgery Greece, Department of Pharmacology, University of Patras, Greece, The Royal College of Physicians and Michelle Minton and her colleagues at reason.org. The verdicts are that vapor products containing nicotine are roughly 95% safer than tradition tobacco and, in no case, was the CDC’s EVALI “epidemic” related to these products. As we’ve all learned though a timid, nearly invisible admission from CDC, the 2,807 cases of EVALI were a result from people vaporizing illicit Black Market THC products which were extended with Vitamin E Acetate. The New England Journal of Medicine’s article relaying this information put CDC in a corner.
So, is the CDC OK? The answer seems to be, “No, not at all.” They’ve been politicized and they’ve proven they can be bought. Bloomberg, his House of Democrats, states and anti-tobacco groups directed the CDC’s output to coordinate with an anti-vaping agenda. The Master Settlement Agreement awards states heavily with funds for smoking cessation and damages. The amounts allocated correlate with the number of smokers per state – to the best of my understanding. Vaping caused a multi-billion dollar decrease in smoking over the last thirteen years. It becomes apparent which states want, need and misdirect MSA money by a simple observation of a state’s policies; vaping bans, excessive taxation, over-regulation of vaping products and all forms of prohibition. It’s unfortunate to conclude most states are closely aligned with the public misconception that vaping causes death and teens are victims of, “nothing short of an epidemic.”
People are watching the CDC’s response to COVID-19 with skepticism. The playbook has an uncomfortable familiarity. Their dialog changes daily, not with real information but through compliance with leaders’ directives. Though somewhat shrouded, the information they produce tends to shift by threat and money, not fact. They’ve demonstrated themselves as a product for political purchase and, again, are seemingly being used as exactly that. Had they not wasted time up until February of 2020 chasing a false youth vaping “epidemic,” resources and publicity might have been used more wisely.
The last year has, in theory, taught most of us what an epidemic is and what it’s not. This time, with COVID-19, it’s real. It’s my perception that CDC has, again, been lured into a very dangerous game refereed by money and politics while spectators die in the seats.
With respect,
John
From Phil
Phil. Just wanted to thank you for your service and steady voice through the last decade or so. I watched the Nic salts discussion last night and followed along with interest. I’ve ridden the Salt Nic insidious wave for a year or two and now find myself gravitating back to freebase 12 mg. Finding the Unsalted line has been a lovely bonus. As has the Zenith tank. On my way out to pick up the Pro. Thanks again to you and Dimitri. I’ve met you guys at a couple of events and you’ve always been very gracious and cool. BTW, you were there years ago when I bought my first Squape and Dicodes combo at the late great Vapero store in Quebec. You gave it the thumbs up and all still in service years later. Thanks for the 3rd time, Phil. Hope your health and happiness running high! Regards, Phil
From Gary
Hey Phil, Gary from Western Australia Here.
Just want to tell you and Dimitris are doing a fantastic job in converting smokers to vaping, offering them the right sort of devices for them to start.
I have been vaping since the end of 2009 and you were the second vaping you tuber I found on YouTube after Scott (igeta69).
I think back in 2010 things were simple with limited choice but yet complex with all the fiddling around you had to do to get a fair vape.
I think now days also can be simple with the advancements but yet confusing with all the new technology, but a lot easier to get a excellent vaping experience.
I still remember when you use to do taste testing with a 510 atomizer (boge) one I think.
The journey has been a real pleasing experience for me just from 2009 to 2020.
Keep up the great work, both of you. And I will catch you later, thanks.
From Johnny
I just wanted to thank you again for the kit and the liquid. I went from smoking 3/4 a pack a day to 2 cigarettes a day right away. Now I am only vaping and said goodbye to the cancer sticks.
From Lou
Hey! I been following you for years on YouTube. lately I have been having anxiety I believe to be caused from high mg nicsalt. I tapered my self down by mixing my own and recently just bought a bottle of watermelon peach from the unsalted line at 12mg. And I absolutely love it. The flavor is amazing and the throat hit is perfect. I usually dont reach out to people but I felt I had to thank you for bringing back a good mtl traditional nic juice. The nic salts have there place and kept me off the cigarettes but I feel it was becoming too much. So thank you Phil. You must get a ton of emails so I hope this reaches you.
From Jeff
Hey Phil,
Just wanted to say thanks for your Significant impact on my life. My story is about the same as millions of other lifelong former smokers so I won’t go on about that. And my introduction to vaping is a familiar gas station story.. But 10 years ago I ran across a guy doing videos from what looked like a bomb shelter and instantly felt a connection. Here was a guy doing something for what appeared to be the sheer love of it. No sales pitch, no angles, just tasting juice and holding hardware vendors accountable … for grins. I don’t know if you were on a life saving mission back then or what, but as it turns out you touched a lot of people in need. As I put the mod down for the last time, I just want to thank you for the education, smiles, advocacy and dedication to your craft. I made the decision, but with some help I am 10 yrs smoke free and now device and juice free. From one mtl to another I wish you peace my friend.
Jeff
From Dennis
Phil/Dimitris
I first wrote you guys on March 15, 2018. At that point I was about 6 months in to a successful and surprisingly easy transition from smoking to vaping. I’m still vaping, having not even held a cigarette (literally) since the day I started vaping. But do you know what I’m proudest of? I’m proudest of the fact that I’ve helped 5 other lifelong smokers make the switch. Yeah, I’ve given away 1 Zenith tank, 1 Zlide, a couple of Ares and a handful of single battery mods – but so what? Those “gifts” are FAR surpassed by the knowledge that others have benefited. I will give more away, and I will keep vaping!
I continue to watch and enjoy your posts – keep it up, gentlemen. You are doing GOOD.
Dennis
From Javi
Today I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I see you used your prophet powers to guess my favorite color, red! Finally my vtc mini white (the same you used for your size and weight comparison) can take a break.
The Zenith is just awesome. You can notice the love you put in it. Not a cash grab like many others, but a product to help people.
I want you to know that this present means a lot to me. Not only for monetary reasons but emotional reasons. A person that doesn’t know me, that means a lot to me, took the time to send me something.
I want you to know too that it’s not a waste. I already converted 2 smokers and I will keep doing it. It’s a life saving product and we have to fight for a smoke free, corruption free world.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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