I've never used one, but as a former smoker who quit back in 2010, I will be totally honest with you - those e-cigarettes will not help. They still provide nicotine, which is what fuels the mental and physical addiction. It's basically like giving someone a heroin pill instead of an injection; same drug, just different delivery. It takes 72hrs without nicotine - the longest 3 gawddamn days of your life, it seems - for it to clear the bloodstream. Any "cheating", even a single puff, and you're back to minute 1 of withdrawal symptoms.
I also know that a smoker isn't going to quit successfully until they make the choice to do so for themself. The person has to
want to be smoke free, or they'll just return to it.
This site has some excellent resources about quitting:
http://whyquit.org/ The most I wanted a cigarette since I quit was when my own father died suddenly last June (followed closely by the day I broke my wrist in August - 2012 kinda sucked), but I quit by realizing that:
a) Cigarettes don't solve problems - they just add another one.
b) The main stress relief from smoking comes from walking away from the source of stress for a few minutes and taking some deep breaths.
c) I didn't want to be controlled by a substance.
d) I am stronger than a chemical.
..and those thoughts have seen me through any painful or stressful times for well over 3 years now.
I wish you all the best in encouraging your father to make a change. Your support will be huge if he decides it's his time to break free of the endless cycle of suck that is smoking.
Cheers!
-mistress k
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ill advised racing inc.