I did the exact same thing as you. I quit smoking a hundred times before I discovered
vaping. Then I quit cigarettes and started vaping a year or two ago. Then I started doing both. Eventually I just quit vaping and smoked full time again, feeling guilty all the time about all that hardware and juice I wasn't using.
2 months ago I noticed I had developed a smoker's cough and I would cough constantly throughout the day. I realized at that point that my lungs were telling me they were at the tipping point and if I didn't quit now, it was going to be too late. I had to make a decision: quit for good or stop worrying about it. Just enjoy my smokes and go pick out a coffin.
To my surprise, it was ridiculously easy. I had no problems whatsover. I mean absolutely none. I was stunned. No cravings, no irritability, not even the desire for a cigarette. It wasn't this easy the last time I tried vaping. I tried to figure out what was different this time. I think I know what it was.
This time I quit mentally. You all know what it's like. Wanting that cigarette after eating, having a quick smoke at break, wondering if there is someone you could bum a smoke off of. You are THINKING about it constantly!! Kind of like waiting for vape mail and checking that mail box daily. This time, every time I thought about a cigarette I told myself I can't have them, so there's no point thinking about it. I would literally make myself think about something else. To my surprise, I suddenly realized that days would go by and I hadn't even thought of them. My wife was stunned at the difference. Previously, I would be grouchy and irritable until she couldn't stand it any more and would tell me "for God's sake go get a pack of cigarettes before I kill you myself". This time...........nothing.
So....... I think that not thinking about smokes prevented the mental withdrawl. But vaping prevented the physical withdrawl. I highly recommend it. Don't THINK about cigarettes and watch the difference. It also helps that I throw $11 into a pot every day and that's mine to blow on whatever I want.