Nicotine is a dangerous, powerfully addictive drug that causes cancer. So the health benefits are fairly muted. Vic's got it right. You might not be smoking tobacco, but shoot I'd almost rather smoke than basically mainline nicotine. You've gone from sprinkling a little powder coke on your joint to shooting it up or freebasing.
Seriously - while folks are really big on these right now because they don't stink, people can use them everywhere, etc. Its no different then the gum, the patch, lozenge etc. That is you aren't smoking, but you are still addicted.
I won't preach on about why you should quit, just note that it is indeed possible. Just stop doing it. Its that easy.
If you actually smoked (inhaled), & did for more than a few years, you would know that this statement is not true.
It is NOT easy!
I have smoked for ~40 years. I now have Emphysema, making even most physical projects hard or even impossible at times. (Even Sex!)
I have been making a very determined effort to stop smoking for the past 3 years.
Quitting is the absolute hardest thing I have ever attempted.
I know it is nasty, unhealthy, disgusting, and is surely going to kill me, but yet I cannot stay away from them for more than a few days or weeks at a time.
I can go a week without a cigarette, then just one will cause me trouble.
No, it is not easy. It gets harder & harder the longer you smoke. So the best advice I can give is:
If you do not smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, make every attempt you can as soon as you can.
Back on topic: I used the e-cigs for several months last year, they will and do work as far as the craving for nicotine is concerned.
My only issue with them is my medical condition, inhaling the vapor into my diseased lungs was not good. Kept developing Bronchitis far too often. Finally, the Physician at the Urgent Treatment center explained to me the cause.
The craving for nicotine is one thing to deal with, but remember, along with the nicotine, the cigarettes are also putting a plethora of other foreign chemicals that your body craves also. But satisfying that nicotine craving is the biggest hurdle.