Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697633199778.pdf (Australia)
My name is Steve Rehberger.

I am currently self-employed, 51 years old and married living in Lismore, New South Wales.

I smoked heavily for over 30 years and have tried to quit over a dozen times.

I started smoking in my mid-teens, for no real reason the than it seemed like the cool thing to do at the time.

I very quickly became a fulltime hardcore smoker.

Smoking was the first and last thing I did ever day.

Smoking was what I did when I was, happy, stressed, sad or bored.
Every time was a good time for a smoke.

I enjoyed the act and the ritual.

After a decade or so I started feeling the effects, Both on health and my bank balance, and admitted to myself I should quit.

The problem was I still enjoyed it.

I enjoyed every part of it and, no matter how much I knew I should quit...I just couldn't.

I undermined myself.

I compulsively kept going back to it.

When you smoke to relieve stress and the act of quitting causes stress it very quickly becomes a viscous circle.
My mother died of lung cancer.

I couldn't be there with her but when I received the news I went outside and had a smoke.

My father died of throat cancer.

Again, he was on the other side of the world at the time but my immediate reaction was to sit out back and have a few smokes.

I tried to quit many times but no matter the reality of the damage it was doing to me, underneath I simply didn't want to let go.

I tried patches, gum and sprays but they failed to work.
About 10 years ago my health started declining rapidly.

I went from wheezing and heavy breathing to a constant bubbly gurgling noise in my chest.

I coughed constantly, to the point where I was frequently breaking ribs.

It was a guarantee that smoking in cold weather would cause a coughing fit that could last over an hour and break more ribs.

Yet....every morning you would find me out on the back veranda lighting up that first smoke of the day, knowing full well what it would bring.
I had gotten to the point were I was resigned.

I would die a smoking related death and it would happen sooner rather than later.

I was a smoker and I accepted it and all that it meant.

My energy and passion was low.

My engagement with the world was low.

I was just putting in time till the inevitable, one smoke at a time.

Then, about 5 years ago, I stumbled across an article about vaping.

It sounded intriguing so I thought I'd give it one more go.
I ordered a little setup, one battery and some e-liquid containing nicotine Nicopharm.

Then I waited impatiently.

Tobacco Harm ReductionSubmission 74 Once it arrived I set it up, waited the required time for it to be ready and gave it a go.

To say I was amazed is an understatement.

After a few puffs I didn't feel any need or desire for a smoke.

Not only that..this tasted and smelled so much better than smoking!
Immediately I cleaned up the smoking area, bagged or binned all smoking related paraphernalia and washed all the smoke smell out of my clothes.

I haven't had a single cigarette since.

Within a month the gurgly chest decreased and within 3 it was gone.

My energy and stamina returned.

I regained my ability to smell and taste and quickly learned shame when I smell smokers in public and realize that's how I smelled for most of my life.

So much for cool!
So much for cool!

Over the past 5 years I have learned so much, regained my passion and am currently active and creative and involved in a number of business ventures.

I've not only rejoined the community but I've also joined a very special community of active engaged and passionate ex-smokers.

5 years ago I figured I'd be dead by now, now I can't wait to see what the next 20 bring!

The part of me that always loved smoking is still there.
Whether it's a learned habit or something ingrained I don't know.

All I do know is that I've managed to switch it from something that was clearly killing me to something that is far far less damaging.

I've learned that the appeal and availability of flavors and different types of products is vital to the success and viability of vaping.

Every person has different desires and tastes and every person needs the option to tailor their experience.
What works best for me is the ability to constantly change out what device and/or flavor I am using as the mood strikes.

I'd love to see Australia adopt a framework similiar to that of the UK, which protects the public yet allows ease of access to those who need it.
Not everyone can quit as fast and as easily as I did, especially with such along history of smoking behind them, Yet, I do believe that for each and every smoker out there there is a perfect setup, a perfect blend of strength, flavor and form factor that will enable them to quit...on the day that they are ready.

Tobacco Harm ReductionSubmission 74