Hi, Atreyufreak!
I was a 35 year smoker. I'm surprised your dad did not like the ecig. After only a few puffs, I would NEVER go back to a tobacco cigarette. Yes, you can use it as a stop-smoking device, by tapering down in nicotine content. I have the juices from "high" down to "zero."

First, let me tell ya, I've tried over the long years of addiction to smoking, in my attempts to quit, using the patches, gum, cold turkey and Chantix, that nothing worked for me. Saying I'm "weak" I've done, but my conclusion now from having the ecig is that the cigarette companies put something extra addictive as an additive into the tobacco. I have found since using the ecig since Dec '09 that I can take it or leave it (which I could never have done with the tobacco).

There are many websites devoted to the ecig. I found a lot of answers at Vaportalk.com. You don't want to order the Blue model, which is advertised widely. You want a model that is tried and true. I began with the Joye 510, and recently bought a Janty ego. I find I can go for days without touching the ecig, and only return to it because it's enjoyable. Eventually, I'll probably quit entirely, but having smoked for so long, I am taking my time. Initially, I bought my first ecig, the Joye 510 from an online seller called Freshsmoking.com. They are very good at answering your questions, and I suspect you could order from them using a money order rather than a credit card. Vaportalk also has a store and would probably work with you. I also found a good American producer of the nicotine juice: Johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com. Most of the kits are produced in China, but you would want to buy replacement juice from an American manufacturer.

If you have any questions, you can PM me!
Patty