Another thing that doesn't help the cause

[fourtytwo]

Yes. We have rights.
Yes. We are within those rights because we are not doing anything illegal.
Yes. People will make assumptions.

NO! It will not help our cause if we needlessly promote an unfavourable view of vaping and vapers.
Respect is what we expect from others. What do they expect from us?

 

[Madison76]

We should all be very concerned about PR and what other people think. There are numerous battles going on across the country in state legislatures on the subject of vaping. Those legislators who are not familiar with vaping and/or are unsympathetic to smoking will only take a few minutes to learn the truth about vaping. They use associations in their mind to form opinions, ie. - it looks like a cigarette, it's called an e-cigarette, therefore it must be just like a cigarette. Or they associate the product with devices used for other illicit activity. It compounds our already uphill battle to avoid overregulation.

So, yes, PR and avoiding misconceptions are important. We've dealt with this specifically (working with the industry to stop regulation) and will continue to have to push back on it. So, the less they look like something else (not saying what), the better. Heck, I wish they were never called e-cigs. Just having the name cig in it creates a headache because of the stigma and word association.

If we tell ourselves that what other people think doesn't matter, we will see what happens. No matter how wrong those misinformed people are, some of them have the power to hurt this industry. We have to put our best foot forward.

 

[fourtytwo]

...
If we tell ourselves that what other people think doesn't matter, we will see what happens. No matter how wrong those misinformed people are, some of them have the power to hurt this industry. We have to put our best foot forward.

You are totally wrong here. ALL of them have the power to hurt this industry. Everyone who has a vote and can send a letter to thier government rep has such power.

 

[RosaJ]

I haven't run across another vaper in the wild and much less someone vaping on such an "exotic" looking device. I don't think it happens that often (if at all).

I guess it depends on the crowd you hang around with.

 

[Madison76]

You are totally wrong here. ALL of them have the power to hurt this industry. Everyone who has a vote and can send a letter to thier government rep has such power.

True, everyone who either forms a bad opinion of vaping or refuses to learn about vaping can potentially hurt vaping. I was focused on my experience in working with those decision makers. Everything I wrote above is based on something I have heard directly from a "decision maker." The good news is, vapers seem to be very active and willing to contact their legislators too. Keep doing it.

Either it's just a gimmicky way of smoking or it's something you find at a head shop. That's a prevailing sentiment outside the community. I swear up and down I would like to travel back in time and strangle who ever decided to call it an e-cigarette. Hurts the cause more than anything. WE HATE CIGARETTES!

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Either it's just a gimmicky way of smoking or it's something you find at a head shop. That's a prevailing sentiment outside the community. I swear up and down I would like to travel back in time and strangle who ever decided to call it an e-cigarette. Hurts the cause more than anything. WE HATE CIGARETTES!

I wouldn't strangle him because he was probably one of the pioneers who blazed the trail for us. We needed that guy.

I would hold him as you worked him over while explaining why he shouldn't use terminology with such a negative connotation, however.

I think the perception is changing, albeit somewhat slowly. We're part of a growing trend but we're still a very small number. A combination of savvy marketing by Blu and NJoy, combined with recent fairly honest news stories on the trend and the steadily improving variety of devices available are bound to make us more widespread.

The more helpful and informative we are, the better we're able to shape that perception. If we're furtive or confrontational the more likely someone else does the shaping.

 

[Madison76]

You're right, I should probably thank him/her for such a wonderful creation. But, then I might slap him/her and tell them to call it something like the "Fancy-Awesome Nic-O!-Stick."

Perception is changing and will continue to - hopefully for the better. Problem is, the law is getting ahead of education. By the time the populace learns that Nic-O!-Sticks (see what I did there ) are a societal benefit, we may be regulated in a corner.

Never-the-less manufacturers need to stop making devices that look like the other thing and liquid manufacturers need to maintain some QC. God forbid if anyone is poisoned by some e-juice.

 

[CosmicladyP]

I just started vaping a few months ago and I'm noticing that there some extreme vapers out there. I just want to keep vaping and not have it become a big issue with the non-vaping public, and then our rights will be taken away. When people begin extreme behaviors in anything, they bring the negative aspects of that activity into the light. When you guys start blowing your face off, vapers are really going to be in trouble. I just simply want to vape. That's all, just vape.

 

[degnr8]

True, everyone who either forms a bad opinion of vaping or refuses to learn about vaping can potentially hurt vaping. I was focused on my experience in working with those decision makers. Everything I wrote above is based on something I have heard directly from a "decision maker." The good news is, vapers seem to be very active and willing to contact their legislators too. Keep doing it.

Either it's just a gimmicky way of smoking or it's something you find at a head shop. That's a prevailing sentiment outside the community. I swear up and down I would like to travel back in time and strangle who ever decided to call it an e-cigarette. Hurts the cause more than anything. WE HATE CIGARETTES!

I think you're dead on here with the need to be wary of the impressions we leave with people. You never know if the old biddy you had a confrontation with about vaping is a close personal friend of the governor and if we piss off enough general members of the public they can influence policy makers. Unfortunately though, as many problems as the "cig"in the name causes with misconceptions, I think it's still necessary for making the whole thing accessible for newbies

 

[Baditude]

I've been vaping APVs with glass tanks out in public for over a year. I very rarely get any indication that others pay any attention to my PVs. Most people are too busy getting to wherever they are going to to mind what I put up to my mouth or hold in my hand.

I have used my APVs at concerts, sporting events, and festivals. Initially I would ask security people if it was ok to bring in, and they always said yes. They recognized what I was using as a legal device. Lately, I don't even bother asking for permission anymore.

I vape walking to and fro in parking lots, in my car, and have been known to take a vape or two in the grocery/department store.

On the rare occassions that people have made a comment, it's curiosity questions like:

"What is that?"
"This is my advanced electronic cigarette."
"Wow. It's so big!" (That's what she said. ) "The ones that I have seen have been much smaller."
"Yeah, well mine is just bigger to last longer. You know, bigger battery."
"Does it really work?"
"Yup. It's kept me off of cigarettes for over a year."
"That's so awesome!"

Or, like the response by a doctor I work with who recently got some cigalikes. I showed him my glass tank Provari and he joked, "That's a G** D** hookah pipe!!" My personal physician calls my Provari my "water pipe".

If someone makes a comment that your PV looks like an illicit device, I would merely come back with:

"How do you know what those devices look like? Do you use them?"

Merely explain that what they see is not smoke. It's water vapor. The device you're using is a portable vaporizer like they use at home when their kid is sick. Yes, the glass tank has liquid nicotine and flavors, but none of the cancer-causing chemicals that cigarettes have. Nuff said.

I actually get a kick out of educating those who are curious and willing to learn about vaping. I carry the business cards for the local vape shop and hand one to them if they are interested.

 

[zapped]

I've been vaping Provari's with glass tanks out in public for over a year. I very rarely get any indication that others pay any attention to my PVs. Most people are too busy getting to where ever they are going to mind what I put up to my mouth or hold in my hand.

On the rare occassions that people have made a comment, it's a legitimate question like, "What is that?" My response is, "This is my advanced electronic cigarette." To which they reply, "Wow. It's so big!" (That's what she said.) "The ones that I have seen have been much smaller." "Yeah, well mine is just super-charged. It's kept me off of cigarettes for over a year."

Or, like the response by a doctor I work with who recently got some cigalikes; I showed him my tank-topped Provari and he joked, "That's a G** D** hookah pipe!!" My personal physician calls my Provari my "water pipe".

If someone makes a comment that your PV looks like an illicit device, I would merely come back with, "How do they know what those devices look like? Do you use them?"

Couldnt have said it better myself. I use a Provari with a glass tank as well and the only comments I get are from people in my schools smoking section ( I go for the conversation and because I dont want to be one THOSE ex-smokers).

Baditudes story could be mine word-for-word.

 

[DC2]

In before the thread gets canned.

If I was 10 years younger I would go out and start practicing that right now.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

I actually get a kick out of educating those who are curious and willing to learn about vaping. I carry the business cards for the local vape shop and hand one to them if they are interested.

As do I. Saturday a week ago, I was at Thing #3's skating party and was vaping away as I and my oldest (a smoker, dangit) shot a rack of 8-ball. As we were leaving and SWMBO was handing out the party treats, a really attractive young lady walked up and asked if that was my electronic cigarette and where I got it from. I handed her one of a stack of cards I have from my local B&M.

I took a lot of satisfaction from that, because when I say "really attractive," I mean... well... Let's just say I hated to see her leave but I sure liked watching her go.

 

[carldamnit]

I have been looking at buying that exact pipe mod. Me, I work for a state agency and am 40+. IMHO it is small, will fit in my breast pocket and it looks damn near indestructable. I could carry around something smaller than the man purse (ego bag) that has people thinking I am a diabetic. I figure all I would need is a couple of extra batteries and a juice bottle. Everyone has to draw a line on where personal freedom ends and the community manners begin.
Personally, I am going to buy and use the pipe in my state uniform, and enjoy being cigarette free.

 

[CosmicladyP]

eeww.... yeah never thought of that! Some sicko may just try and invent some drug to go in them. I can see it now. It's getting touchy but I so love vaping. I was in our downtown area and everybody was smoking "cigarettes". I have to admit, I like the attention and the interest smokers have in them. People also comment alot on how good the vapors smell. They are surprised that I can be enjoying something that looks like smoking but with a lot more pleasant smell, taste and look.