An idea to get the word out

[sit.happens]

I've been vaping now for about a month and a half. And while I haven't been able to participate in the forums as much as I like, ( work, family, life etc...) A couple of things dawned on me, one, none of the smokers that I've met and know have heard or even seen anything about vaping or e-cigs or the fact that such a product even exists! and two, can recall anything even mentioned in the media.

Myself, I discovered e-cigs by accident while surfing the internet. a total fluke! If you would have told me 2 months ago about vaping, I would have had no idea what you were talking about.

From what I gather, in the U.S. and U.K. for example there seems to be more awareness and knowledge of e-cigs. But in Canada, the majority of the current smokers I'm certain are in the dark about e-cigs.

I'm not certain about other provinces, But in BC there is a total advertising ban. All cigarettes at stores, gas stations etc... have to be hidden behind curtains or closed drawers. As well as no visible advertising whatsoever. Not to mention the long ago ban on mass media advertising.

What is needed to bring to the attention of the smoking masses is knowledge of e-cigs in the mass media. T.V., radio, newspapers. People need to be made aware that such a product even exists! But sadly as I've read, Health Canada has imposed an advertising ban on e-cigs. I guess the old saying "Freedom of the press is for those that own one" applies here.

I may not own a printing press, a television station or a media empire, but I do have a computer printer and an idea.

Anybody reading this, depending where you live in Canada. You may have a University or College campus. My experience as a former smoker, I know that there is usually a smoking pit or gazebo or some place where smokers are told to go smoke out of sight. My idea, print out information about vaping and e-cigs and plaster it all over the smoking area! The advantage being, depending on size of the campus your message has the ability to reach a lot of smokers. even if its something as simple as "smokers google e-cigs, learn what the Government doesn't want you to know"

Why Universities and Colleges, these are two places where you find large groups of people. Also, some of those current smokers might be tomorrows e-juice makers, e-cig defense lawyers, e-cig manufactures. Also don't forget Career Colleges, large shopping centers with known smoke pits. Basically anyplace where large groups of smokers get together is the place to get to word out.

Personally, I think it is a crime against humanity to censor knowledge about e-cigs from the general public. Knowledge is power, and yes the internet is an excellent source for gaining knowledge about vaping and e-cigs. But unless you are made aware of e-cigs, chances are you wouldn't be looking for it on the web.

 

[rachelcoffe]

sit.happens, I completely agree with your above post. And that's an excellent idea! We can reach people one on one, but simple posters as you describe would certainly reach even more folks. Goodness knows people plaster all sorts of posters everywhere here in downtown Toronto, and on Ryerson U's campus. If it helps even one person quit smoking & start vaping, then it's been worthwhile. Nothing is more precious than the gift of life.

Thanks for sharing, hon!

 

[upStomp]

It's posts like this that make me wish there was a rep point system on ECF. Phenomenal idea.

I'm going to see about getting signs posted at all my company's smoking areas (4 sites in the Northeast US alone). I give you full credit for any employee here that quits smoking as a result.

 

[Can_supplier]

What you run into with any advertising campaign is money… You need something that saturates the market and stands out.

Companies are the ones with the money to do this. However in this market the harder you advertise, the bigger the target on you back for HC is. Its counterproductive and why none of us in the business are doing it.

The hurdle to have on Campus is the 1000's of other posters from save the whales to apartments for rent. The student is overwhelmed already, so your campaign can be overlooked.

The second area of concern is the age group. With many 17 and 18 year olds in University these days, are opponents could argue that youth are being targeted by this evil e-cigarette marketers trying to hook them on the product.

Honestly the best thing you can do is tell everyone you know, and encourage them to tell everyone. This forms a pyramid, passing on the information. If you tell just 2 people, and they tell 2 people, about 5 levels down everyone in Canada has heard the message. Of course not everyone will pass on the message, which breaks the pyramid, but the point is you would be surprised how effective you can be as an ambassador to the product. I'd argue, walking around a place vaping and talking with people will give you more power than plastering the place with 100,000 posters, and save you a ton in printing costs.

Sometimes the best things are free.

I admire your determination and wish you the best success.

 

[Mr Pink]

Great idea. I'd suggest printing it on small wallet sized labels. Then you can carry them in your wallet, and "stick one" whereever it seems appropriate. (Ok... can see the response coming on that one...)

 

[inkedcanadian]

I vape openly whenever i'm out and stop near smokers I see and strike up convo's. I get quite a few questions which is great.

I'll vape in non-smoking area's as well if it seems relax enough and so far I haven't been told to stop in any bars. Few people thought I was smoking pot though...

 

[Jimilives]

Hey,
I agree with you, and when i suggested it before I was kind of met with a "ohh its too small scale" and "what can one flyer do" and I started wondering what can one person do? Then i think back to seeing a Chinese student stand in front of a dozen tanks giving time for thousands to escape Tienanmen square, and I think maybe one guy can do something small, like change the world.

The more that know, the more that will know. Each new vaper brings 3 more I would estimate. Keep up the good work.

 

[VAPOINSANO]

This great forum also offers free ecig business cards too!

 

[Switched]

I've been vaping now for about a month and a half. And while I haven't been able to participate in the forums as much as I like, ( work, family, life etc...) A couple of things dawned on me, one, none of the smokers that I've met and know have heard or even seen anything about vaping or e-cigs or the fact that such a product even exists! and two, can recall anything even mentioned in the media.

Myself, I discovered e-cigs by accident while surfing the internet. a total fluke! If you would have told me 2 months ago about vaping, I would have had no idea what you were talking about.

From what I gather, in the U.S. and U.K. for example there seems to be more awareness and knowledge of e-cigs. But in Canada, the majority of the current smokers I'm certain are in the dark about e-cigs.

I'm not certain about other provinces, But in BC there is a total advertising ban. All cigarettes at stores, gas stations etc... have to be hidden behind curtains or closed drawers. As well as no visible advertising whatsoever. Not to mention the long ago ban on mass media advertising.

What is needed to bring to the attention of the smoking masses is knowledge of e-cigs in the mass media. T.V., radio, newspapers. People need to be made aware that such a product even exists! But sadly as I've read, Health Canada has imposed an advertising ban on e-cigs. I guess the old saying "Freedom of the press is for those that own one" applies here.

I may not own a printing press, a television station or a media empire, but I do have a computer printer and an idea.

Anybody reading this, depending where you live in Canada. You may have a University or College campus. My experience as a former smoker, I know that there is usually a smoking pit or gazebo or some place where smokers are told to go smoke out of sight. My idea, print out information about vaping and e-cigs and plaster it all over the smoking area! The advantage being, depending on size of the campus your message has the ability to reach a lot of smokers. even if its something as simple as "smokers google e-cigs, learn what the Government doesn't want you to know"

Why Universities and Colleges, these are two places where you find large groups of people. Also, some of those current smokers might be tomorrows e-juice makers, e-cig defense lawyers, e-cig manufactures. Also don't forget Career Colleges, large shopping centers with known smoke pits. Basically anyplace where large groups of smokers get together is the place to get to word out.

Personally, I think it is a crime against humanity to censor knowledge about e-cigs from the general public. Knowledge is power, and yes the internet is an excellent source for gaining knowledge about vaping and e-cigs. But unless you are made aware of e-cigs, chances are you wouldn't be looking for it on the web.

WTG make it so

 

[NoizMaker]

Hey,
I agree with you, and when i suggested it before I was kind of met with a "ohh its too small scale" and "what can one flyer do" and I started wondering what can one person do? Then i think back to seeing a Chinese student stand in front of a dozen tanks giving time for thousands to escape Tienanmen square, and I think maybe one guy can do something small, like change the world.

The more that know, the more that will know. Each new vaper brings 3 more I would estimate. Keep up the good work.

Agreed Jimi! The only changes we have ever, can ever and will ever see in this world begins on an individual basis. It's about becoming the change you want to see yourself and leading by example.

The only rights we all have are the ones we are willing to stand up for and take for ourselves. One mind at a time this information will reach Critical mass and if we all lead ourselves instead of looking for someone else to do it for us (Not a jab at anyone, just a truth) we will see the fruits of our labour.

 

[Switched]

I vape openly whenever i'm out and stop near smokers I see and strike up convo's. I get quite a few questions which is great.

I'll vape in non-smoking area's as well if it seems relax enough and so far I haven't been told to stop in any bars. Few people thought I was smoking pot though...

Same here. Folks know what e cigs are. They point at them and say - isn't that one of them electronic thingies. I say yes, here's your prize and hand them a card. Sometime it winds up with a conversation sometimes not. IMHO the worst thing you can do is be in someone's face about it. Acceptance is key, in my experience anyway. My neighbors have been actively promoting ecigs and the majority are non-smokers.

 

[markenstien]

agreed, i tell everyone about them,weather they smoke or not, everyone knows a smoker who wants to quit,i think. as of now i got 2 out of 3 family members willing to try and also agree that every one person who knows about it spreads the word folded a few times over. i run into people who have heard of em but up close and personal show and tell is so much more effective.also multiple friends who are gonna try to make the switch.

 

[AlbertaClipper]

This issue's been on my mind a lot, too. I'm a new vaper still, too, but the longer I vape the more upset I get about HC's stance on it. I'd like very much to get the word out, too. I was thinking that firing off a few letters to the editors of some newspapers might get people talking. I also WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree that the media will play an integral role in gov't acceptance of PV's. It's not even funny to see how vulnerable they are to media pressure. I'd like to see all vapers do the same thing (along with contacting their MP's etc.)

 

[Lola69]

I agree with you wildrose about getting the word out. I actually spoke to my son's health class at his high school after the teacher invited me. A lot of athletes in the class are smokers and the teacher had a 'talk' with them after the smell of cigarettes permeated the room. My son talked to the teacher afterward and told him about my vaping. We had a private talk and demo first, got approval from the principal and then I did the demonstration in class and let the curious ones try my eGo with some zero nic juice (they wouldn't let me use the nic ones). I then printed out some information and passed it to all 42 students. My son told me yesterday that oneof the students posted the information in the smoking pit at school. It's not a huge step but I do feel like I gave them an alternative. Honestly, I have no idea how teenagers can even afford to smoke. When I was on cigarettes, I smoked a carton per week!!

 

[BlondieLocs]

Same here. Folks know what e cigs are. They point at them and say - isn't that one of them electronic thingies. I say yes, here's your prize and hand them a card. Sometime it winds up with a conversation sometimes not. IMHO the worst thing you can do is be in someone's face about it. Acceptance is key, in my experience anyway. My neighbors have been actively promoting ecigs and the majority are non-smokers.

Agreed. Although I'm finding here in small town Alberta, not as many people know about it as did in the big city, they're more willing to ask questions and be open to the idea. I vape in public discreetly, somewhat openly in the bars. People have no problem whatsoever coming over to me to find out what it is... often I'll let them try it. Almost everyone of them has asked me where to get them or to get them a kit. (I have about 20 right now that want kits.)

And like you said, I'm not the one promoting it. Most of the time it's people dragging their friends over to me, saying "Show him that smokeless cig thingy".

 

[BlondieLocs]

I agree with you wildrose about getting the word out. I actually spoke to my son's health class at his high school after the teacher invited me. A lot of athletes in the class are smokers and the teacher had a 'talk' with them after the smell of cigarettes permeated the room. My son talked to the teacher afterward and told him about my vaping. We had a private talk and demo first, got approval from the principal and then I did the demonstration in class and let the curious ones try my eGo with some zero nic juice (they wouldn't let me use the nic ones). I then printed out some information and passed it to all 42 students. My son told me yesterday that oneof the students posted the information in the smoking pit at school. It's not a huge step but I do feel like I gave them an alternative. Honestly, I have no idea how teenagers can even afford to smoke. When I was on cigarettes, I smoked a carton per week!!

Honestly, while I see you have good intent, I'm not sure how wise that is. One of the largest arguments against e-cigs that BP and HC is trying to make is that the e-cig will encourage minors to start smoking. (I know they already are.) They're also arguing that regulating would be next to impossible because it's hard to prove as an online seller that you do not sell to minors. So therefore, in their infinite wisdom, an all-out ban should be enforced.

 

[Lola69]

You're probably right about what I did as not being the wisest thing to do. I certainly won't be advocating that kind of action and didn't intend for my post to come off that way. In this particular instance, the school was ok with it. The smoking pit there has about 300 kids at it every day (school has over 2500 students) and the numbers continue to grow. The school even maintains the pit and provides outdoor heaters! I don't know what the solution is and encouraging minors to start smoking is something I don't agree with either but the number of kids out there who are already smoking is astounding. If what I did wasn't the smartest thing to do, I can accept that because if it made one teenager even talk about it with their peers afterward, I'll gladly shield the fallout of my actions. Oh and yes.......I did have good intentions lol.

 

[kanadiankat]

Honestly, while I see you have good intent, I'm not sure how wise that is. One of the largest arguments against e-cigs that BP and HC is trying to make is that the e-cig will encourage minors to start smoking. (I know they already are.) They're also arguing that regulating would be next to impossible because it's hard to prove as an online seller that you do not sell to minors. So therefore, in their infinite wisdom, an all-out ban should be enforced.

Blondie - you are the Queen on this one.

Also being in small town alberta - I've watched some high school kids take the plunge into tobacco. It's sad - they're kids. One kid I know is already going around in circles on the cig - nrt cycle - he just turned 17.

BUT these kids will grow up and they will mature and they will need to face down the choice to smoke or not smoke - to vape or not vape - as consenting adults.

At least by growing awareness of the ecig - they will have a choice to take the road of lesser evil - when they are mature enough to make that choice.

Meanwhile, when kids do dumb things - no matter how tempting it might be - keeping ecigs out their site and off their radar is just as important as keeping cigarettes out of their hands.

 

[BlondieLocs]

You're probably right about what I did as not being the wisest thing to do. I certainly won't be advocating that kind of action and didn't intend for my post to come off that way. In this particular instance, the school was ok with it. The smoking pit there has about 300 kids at it every day (school has over 2500 students) and the numbers continue to grow. The school even maintains the pit and provides outdoor heaters! I don't know what the solution is and encouraging minors to start smoking is something I don't agree with either but the number of kids out there who are already smoking is astounding. If what I did wasn't the smartest thing to do, I can accept that because if it made one teenager even talk about it with their peers afterward, I'll gladly shield the fallout of my actions. Oh and yes.......I did have good intentions lol.

I completely understand why you did it and, to an extent, agree with it. I started smoking at 16 years old myself, so remember those cold days huddle out in the schoolyard.

The only issue is that if parents, or the media, or "Big Brother" decide to twist your good intentions, it is easy to say that you are promoting e-cigarettes for minor use.

The reason flavoured cigarettes were taken off the market is because the Powers-That-Be in their infinite wisdom decided that having fruit or candy flavoured tobacco was an "incentive" for minors to smoke. (Somehow blueberry or cotton candy flavoured vodkas are still okay, though.)

The same will be said here. "Oh, I've never had a cigarette in my life... but I can vape cheesecake? I think I need to addict myself to nicotine."

IMHO, Big Brother doesn't give Canada's youth enough credit. They think teenagers are stupid.

 

[BlondieLocs]

Blondie - you are the Queen on this one.

Also being in small town alberta - I've watched some high school kids take the plunge into tobacco. It's sad - they're kids. One kid I know is already going around in circles on the cig - nrt cycle - he just turned 17.

BUT these kids will grow up and they will mature and they will need to face down the choice to smoke or not smoke - to vape or not vape - as consenting adults.

At least by growing awareness of the ecig - they will have a choice to take the road of lesser evil - when they are mature enough to make that choice.

Meanwhile, when kids do dumb things - no matter how tempting it might be - keeping ecigs out their site and off their radar is just as important as keeping cigarettes out of their hands.

Actually, I wish I could give them all e-cigs... they're going to smoke anyway, might as well make a healthier choice. Which I think is the idea behind Lola's talk to the school. The problem is that it just gives ammunition to the naysayers to believe that an outright ban is the best course of action.

So yes, until the Authorities-That-Be wise up... keeping e-cigs away from kids is the best course of action. Eventually those minors will reach majority and can make a decision with the government's help.