Another thing that doesn't help the cause

[Vapo Marx]

So, a lot of people are worried (and rightly so) about some fool blowing his head off with a sub-ohm coil hooked to a big battery. But while perusing the merchandise that's out there, I've noticed something else that's probably not great PR for vaping.

We all know that a high-performance PV isn't gonna look like a cigarette but some of these "pipe" style PVs really look like something you could buy in a head shop. I'm not talking about the ones patterned after grandpa's pipe; I mean the ones that look like... um, "apparatus" like you might find in a college kid's dorm. I don't wanna post the picture lest it seem like I'm picking on a particular vendor or product but last night, I came across a couple of PVs that if I saw them without knowing what they were, I would draw a much different conclusion as to their purpose.

I'm all for creativity in design and for having a wide variety of vaping devices available but until the legal status of vaping is secure, being a vaper is kinda like riding in a car that's been pulled over by the cops - "Just be cool, man." Whip out one of those gadgets around the wrong crowd and you'll instantly incite some anti-vaping sentiment.

Or maybe I'm just over-thinking it. I dunno

 

[Ref Minor]

From the ones I have seen online electronic herbal vaporisers look similar to an ego style vaporiser.

 

[bikerbeagle]

Some people are going to think what they are going to think, regardless what you do (or don't do), because those people are judgmental control freaks. That's their problem, not mine. Skulking to the dark corner to vape, as if it is 'wrong' or something to be ashamed of, is worse - in my opinion - than forcing the issue and - possibly (but unlikely) - teaching someone to think differently. Providing you are vaping in an area that is legal to vape in, the old adage that "your rights end where another person's rights begin" works both ways.

 

[Vapo Marx]

OK, despite what I wrote about not wanting to seem like I'm picking on anybody, I guess if I wanna make my point I'd better provide some examples. So here's one: Smoktech Pipe Mod. Granted, if you look at it up close, you can tell it's a vaporizer and not a wacky tobaccy delivery device. But if you saw someone puffing on one of those from a few yards away, what would be your first impression?

 

[skyztheLynnit]

Marx.. what do YOU think wouldn't look suspect? A cig-a-like?

 

[Vapo Marx]

Something that doesn't look like it has a bowl you could pack.

 

[THETOTALLYCOOL]

Yeah, but maybe it's just because the appearance of cigarettes has not changed since the 1950s, when filters became commonplace. Meanwhile, the drug market took advantage of technology. But most people don't whip out their waterpipe, etc in public, so when something different appears, it gets noticed.

And of course, it's possible to drip or dab ... material in items we're using. If that becomes very common, it will be a problem for vapers.

But traditional herbal smoking involves two hands due to the need for a lighter. In that regard, it appears furtive. PVs don't have that problem.

 

[skyztheLynnit]

Something that doesn't look like it has a bowl you could pack.

No matter what others may say.. with the exception of a cigalike.. they all look a little strange to someone who doesn't know about them.. that's where vapers educating the public comes into play.

 

[Vapo Marx]

But traditional herbal smoking involves two hands due to the need for a lighter. In that regard, it appears furtive. PVs don't have that problem.

That IS a good point.

Maybe I'm being a little paranoid (heh, heh) but I'm just really happy to be vaping and not smoking and I'd be upset if they started cracking down on it. I already went through that once with cigarettes; it was a very accepted habit when I started, then I saw it become demonized and marginalized seemingly overnight. Of course, WE know that vaping is a lot less harmful - maybe even "harmless" in the relative sense - but most people, I think, are not aware of that or don't wanna know.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Something that doesn't look like it has a bowl you could pack.

ok now i really wanna see this e-cig you're talking about

 

[Ref Minor]

I think he means one of these

 

[FloydianSlip]

A lot of good valid points here. I guess people will always judge a book by its cover without cracking it open to see what it is about.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

In before the thread gets canned.

 

[Zipslack]

Funnily enough, I was eyeballing that pipe mod at FastTech the other day, but my wife says a pipe would make me look like an old man (last I checked, 43 IS old).

 

[Vapo Marx]

I actually think it looks kinda cool. But can you imagine whipping that thing out in public and puffing on it? I can hear the chorus of shrieking ANTZ right now: "But what about the CHILDREN?!"

 

[Arnie H]

So, a lot of people are worried (and rightly so) about some fool blowing his head off with a sub-ohm coil hooked to a big battery. But while perusing the merchandise that's out there, I've noticed something else that's probably not great PR for vaping.

You know, I am more concerned for the individual safety of vapers than about any "bad PR", though I understand the fears.
If a vaper is injured, our first priority should be the welfare of that person and how we can help.

Re: "Funny" looking vaping devices, I know there are a lot of different styles. I personally wouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed or worried about what others might think. I just whip mine out and vape. (although I am polite and won't do so in cramped spaces, like a crowded elevator, airplane, front row of a movie theater, bathroom).

One of the promises (and selling points) made to aspiring vapers/smokers by some of the e-cig companies is this:

Freedom. "Freedom to smoke/vape anywhere you like"

I want what was promised to me! Gosh darn it!

 

[Rocketpunk]

I have the Smoktech e pipe mod and yes, it can look ultra sketchy.

Some things to consider when using it:

Using it while driving, if spotted by an officer, do not be surprised if you get pulled over.

If you're riding dirty, think twice. If not, vape proud. Even if a cop pulls you over, you've done nothing illegal. They'll just be wasting your time and their's.

In public, it's legal. I don't give a rat's behind what some poor soul thinks when s/he sees me. Let them come to their own conclusions. As long as I'm not doing anything illegal, and I'm not being "in yo face" and obnoxious about it, live and let live. Now, if someone approached me and said they found my behavior offensive, I'd politely say, "Sorry you feel that way," and continue doing what I'm doing. For one, I never vape inside any buildings with a no smoking policy. If in a public area, I vape in the smoking area. I also don't make a scene or intentionally attract attention. I've gotten a TON of bizarre looks, but only 2 people within the space of 1 year approached me while I was vaping in public to specifically ask what I was doing.

One must use wisdom and caution when choosing which device to whip out at any given moment. Weigh the consequences with the action. Is it worth the hassle to puff on an epipe mod in public, possibly causing alarm or confusion, or at worst, a stop and search? We must temper our actions and behavior with wisdom.

OK, despite what I wrote about not wanting to seem like I'm picking on anybody, I guess if I wanna make my point I'd better provide some examples. So here's one: Smoktech Pipe Mod. Granted, if you look at it up close, you can tell it's a vaporizer and not a wacky tobaccy delivery device. But if you saw someone puffing on one of those from a few yards away, what would be your first impression?

 

[JohnnyVsGirl]

I'm a natural "crunchy" mom and fed my daughter until the age of 12 months....seriously I got more looks from that (couldn't think of a thread friendly word for bf'ing) having a shawl over myself in 2010 than I get with a mod bizarre looking mod. People are going to hate and you can't please everyone.

 

[THETOTALLYCOOL]

There are translucent clearomizers with clear mouthpieces. Put that on a white battery, and vape a clear product and it looks like a medical device. But since everybody won't do it, what's the point?

 

[Vapo Marx]

Y'know, I was always a punk and a troublemaker and when I smoked, I actually kinda enjoyed how self-righteous d-bags would hate on me when they saw me with a cigarette - the dirty looks, the fake coughs, etc. But vaping is in such a fragile position right now, legislatively speaking.