Advocacy vs. Secrecy

[Algernon]

There's an apex where popularity meets either our downfall or our victory. The moment that e-cigarettes become mainstream and popular, that's when you'll see it. The media and word-of-mouth carries a long way to the way the population acts. Depending on how e-cigarettes are treated by us and more importantly, people who don't even smoke in the first place puts things in perspective with how the world will react once the moment arrives.

There's one thing to remember about e-cigarettes in the eye of someone new, it's foreign and unknown. I had one person at work literally look at me like I just pulled a bag of pot out of my bag and was holding it in the air as if I shouldn't be showing it around for some secretive reason.

So do we postpone the popular push or do we protest and shout the news? That's your decision. I prefer a more toned down approach to my vaping. I don't mention it unless someone asks and I don't do it indoors in any surrounding unless I'm at home or a friend or family's home.

You never know who you're offending being an advocate but you also never know who you're inspiring. In relation to all of this, you also never know the ratio of who you're offending versus who you're inspiring.

What's your choice? I'd like some input on all of this.

 

[BCB]

Why would I be offending anyone? I don't worry that I'm offending anyone when I buy some coffee and then drink it (right out in the open). People outside of AA usually don't have a crisis of conscience when they buy a beer and then go ahead and drink it.

 

[Zelphie]

I dont vape in puplic cause I hate it when randome people come up to me and speak. Other than that, you have offend in order to inspire so vape where you want.

 

[Algernon]

Why would I be offending anyone? I don't worry that I'm offending anyone when I buy some coffee and then drink it (right out in the open). People outside of AA usually don't have a crisis of conscience when they buy a beer and then go ahead and drink it.

The difference being that it's quite common to see someone drinking coffee or drinking a beer. How many people on a daily basis do you see vaping besides you that you don't know?

It's different to people and to most, it may just appear that you're smoking something and a good majority of people appose smoking.

 

[Skud]

Bottom line, people fear what they don't understand, and fear is the strongest of all emotions when it comes to public opinion and the legislation drawn to appease it. In general, vape openly around those willing and able to understand, and treat it like smoking around those who can't/won't. It's better to inspire no one than to offend many.

 

[Janetda]

I look at it this way, if we truly believe that e-cigarettes are far less risky than cigarettes, then we have an obligation to make smokers aware that they exist. Every person that is inspired to switch to e-cigs from regular cigarettes may be a life saved. I'm not pushy and I don't offend people, but I'm always open to talking about and I use them everywhere I go.

 

[BassAddict]

I don't go overly public with the vaping, but if I want the nicotine and this device isn't classified as a "tobacco burning substance" then I am going to vape my harmless little device! I honestly do not put up with bulls*it when people tell me that what I am doing is harmful to my surroundings. I give them a card with all the details about vaping, and then they tend to shut up

I do speak my mind, and I will let it be heard in a civil manner. Happy Vaping!

 

[navyblew]

My use of an e-cig in public is usually situation dependent. Usually in doors and in crowded areas I choose not to vape, simply because of the immediate reaction of those around me who don't know what's going on.

I was at an outdoor concert, although the area was closed off and thus a bit crowded. During the show I didn't vape, but as the show ended and people were clearing out, I used it freely.

The waitress came up and asked me questions about it. The manager kind of looked at me like I was going to get in trouble, because there were also some street clothed cops lingering about for security. The cops came right up and once they saw that it was an e-cig, which they actually recognized right away, they just smiled and walked away.

I motioned towards the manager and said that if it was bothering anyone I would stop, but he didn't care one bit, he just didn't want the cops to give me trouble.

The cops asked it it actually worked, I invited them over and I explained it, and they seemed less suspicious after that. Not that they were really suspicious before, its almost like they thought it was a joke and I was buying into a scam for having one.

All in all everyone was cool, I educated some folks about it and got to continue vaping as I pleased.

I think if you use it in moderation and aren't obnoxious about it, and are also willing to explain what's going on when people ask, it will always turn out alright.

In bars, and in doors. I will usually go up to the manager/homeowner/bouncer/etc and tell them what I'm about to do... ask permission and so far, no one has said no. Especially once I vape some waffle and they realize that not only does it NOT smell like cigarettes, but it smells GREAT.

 

[rothenbj]

Basically the same story here. I don't vape that often anymore, very situational. However, I never had a problem anywhere other than talking to the curious. A lot of anti-smokers I know loved it because of how good they smelled. Strawberry cheesecake does wonders as well as some of the chocolates.

 

[Crumpet]

I look at it this way, if we truly believe that e-cigarettes are far less risky than cigarettes, then we have an obligation to make smokers aware that they exist. Every person that is inspired to switch to e-cigs from regular cigarettes may be a life saved. I'm not pushy and I don't offend people, but I'm always open to talking about and I use them everywhere I go.

You beat me to it! I admit to feeling self-conscious vaping openly in 'non-smoking' places, but I'm not too shy to ask the bartender/waiter, etc. if it's okay. Bottom line: non-smokers also need to be aware of PVs if we expect them to not flip out when they see someone vaping in public. If I am a diplomatic representative for vaping I presume that whomever speaks with me about it will leave with a positive impression. In fact, if someone asks about what I'm doing, I explain it and I tell them to mention it to any smoker friends or relatives that they have. I sieze the opportunity to tell them about how my husband, mother, aunt, and father in law have all taken to vaping like ducks to water and to show them first hand what an e-cig looks like and how it really works (in case they've seen or read something negative in the media).

However, there will always be douchebags. Last week in a bar a drunk frat boy dudebro type tried to 'gotcha!' me when he saw me exhale vapor. He informed me I wasn't allowed to smoke and I said that's okay because I wasn't smoking. He said, "Yes you are, I just saw you blow smoke". I told him that what he saw was vapor and showed his drunk ... the plastic end of my e-cig and all he said was "that's weird". Then again, he was a drunk douche, so......For most people who will inform me of the no smoking policy I plan to tell them that I agree with the non-smoking policy and how glad I am to not be smoking anymore. I will tell them that what I have is a vaporizer and that no tobacco or smoke is involved and I will demonstrate, even let them touch it if they want. I'll explain that even though they may have not heard of these yet, they soon will and that we have the tobacco companies shaking in their boots worrying about all the people who have/may quit smoking their cigarettes. I will continue to educate as needed.

The fact is, I am not ashamed that I was a tobacco smoker for so many years. If I could go back in time and never have started that would be great, but as the saying goes you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. Therefore, I will not allow anyone to make me feel ashamed or embarrassed and I will not tolerate rude behavior from people who feel entitled to project all their baggage onto me. I have no problem telling someone that as long as I'm not harming them (that was the trump card for the anti-smoking lobby) they don't get to dictate against behaviors that they simply don't like or share an interest in. And God help the first SOB who tells me I look stupid.

 

[MarBro]

Crumpet, I agree 100%. There are those people that just want to confront people because they enjoy conflict. I have had good experiences where I vaped in conference rooms during a meeting and nobody said a word or even gave it a second glance. But then I have had experiences where I was outside in a public area and some "Public Advocate" couldn't resist coming up to me and asking me "Are you having trouble understanding No Smoking?". I informed the ... that I was not smoking and gave him one of my explanation cards. I gently ( against a stronger urge ) explained to him that it was a Personal Vaporizer and that if he could smell anything, I would be willing to put it away.

I get tired of people thinking that their right Trump my rights. I have always been a considerate smoker anyway. I try to stay away from the main stream of people in order to keep from offending them. Now that vaping has replaced smoking, I feel that I should be able to without conflict. I do try to explain when I can and usually the other party is quite intrigued.

So as Janetda inferred, we have an obligation to educate.

 

[rothenbj]

Crumpet, I just heard that yesterday. I just smiled (he was a smoker) and matter of factly said, "yeh, I might, but I felt I'd look stupider dragging around an oxygen tank". That was the last reference he made to it.

However, it did start up a conversation with a fellow that checked out my Penn State Chuck. I told him I had graduated from there and he brought up the quarterback from Penn State's first national championship in football. Turned out he went to high school with him, played wide receiver on their high school team and dated his sister. The conversation would never have taken place had I not been vaping. There are so many advantages to vaping than to smoking.

 

[Crumpet]

Crumpet, I just heard that yesterday. I just smiled (he was a smoker) and matter of factly said, "yeh, I might, but I felt I'd look stupider dragging around an oxygen tank". That was the last reference he made to it.

However, it did start up a conversation with a fellow that checked out my Penn State Chuck. I told him I had graduated from there and he brought up the quarterback from Penn State's first national championship in football. Turned out he went to high school with him, played wide receiver on their high school team and dated his sister. The conversation would never have taken place had I not been vaping. There are so many advantages to vaping than to smoking.

It's as simples as this: My coolness is not on trial here! And I happen to think my e-cig is da bomb, not needing anyone else to validate that.

 

[rothenbj]

OT Crumpet, where did you get that avatar from? I love it.

 

[Crumpet]

OT Crumpet, where did you get that avatar from? I love it.

Thank you! That is me feeding a baby Siberian tiger in Myrtle Beach, SC. They have a reserve where they care for many exotics, but in particular they have been devoted to saving the Golden Tabby Tiger which has been nearly extinct. They have now between 25-30 of this kind of tiger. You can spend the day there and handle all kinds of animals. I played with tiger and wolf cubs, a porcupine, an owl, and a lynx. It was one of the best days of my entire life. It's called T.I.G.E.R.S. and you can look them up on the web.

 

[rothenbj]

Crumpet, I don't get down that way often, but if I ever get close, I'll be there. That has got to be an unforgettable day, as you said.

 

[sailorman]

Someone is doing something I've never seen before. I'm not sure what it is.
But it looks like something they shouldn't be doing.

Should I approach them and tell them to stop?
What kind of person would I have to be to tell them that?
Would I deserve any respect whatsoever?
Would I be entitled to an explanation from them of what they're doing?
What opinion of me would they be entitled to form?

Answers: No, An ignorant busybody, Absolutely Not, No, A self-appointed public guardian who deserves nothing less than a kick in the teeth.

So, I will vape anytime and anywhere I please except in bars/restaurants or a few other enclosed spaces where I will attempt to get permission beforehand. If I do not get permission, I will leave and there will be no question as to why I am leaving.

Anywhere else, including outdoor event venues, I don't give a rat's about offending some nitwit passerby or other. Their ignorance does not entitle them to dictate my behavior. Their clueless assumptions don't give them special privileges. If they are interested in what I'm doing, fine. I'll gladly explain, probably more than they really wanted to know.

I am generally a very patient man, but for the self-righteous busybodies, the self-anointed "hall monitors" of life, I have absolutely zero tolerance. They'll get nothing but contempt, and probably a good dose of hostility to wash it down, from me.

I do not suffer fools gladly.