Any other Canuks following this thread?

[kalvinf]

It's in the general discussion sub-forum here at ECF. katmandu is posting there, just wondering if anyone is has viewed or posted.
In 10 days this thead has grown to 128 pages at this moment.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/189267-beware-quit-smoking-purists.html

 

[kalvinf]

Anyone viewed? its at 134 pages now, deteriorating content for sure, but so much entertainment and information too.

 

[CdnBison]

I saw John's original posting, and have kinda kept an eye on it from there... it's sad that some of the users there are so militantly against e-cigs, yet seemingly have no issues with any other cessation method.

I mean, yeah, it'd be great if everyone could quit cold turkey, but if it's a choice between smoking or vaping, my cardiologist (who is also my wife ) knows which one should be chosen...

 

[TallGrass]

I've seen the same reaction over at DailyKos. There's a support group for lefties called GUS (Gave up smoking) that posts on the weekends or something. I've mentioned e-cigarettes a few times only to be ridiculed & shouted out of the room.

 

[kingcobra]

I had a look at the thread and I'm not too surprised. A lot of ex smokers are still angry since their solution isn't one that they are all that happy with. They still dream of smoking, literally, and miss it, but they have managed to block these desires which is something they fight every day. So when we come along, we have indeed found a better way, but they continue to resist both smoking and whatever we are doing.

Elsewhere in the forum someone admitted that he gave up analogs years ago and has recently started vaping, and several vapers criticized him and wondered why he would do this. This makes perfect sense to me, he likes nicotine, just didn't feel comfortable with the manner in which he was getting it before, but does now. In fact getting nicotine from vaping is much superior in terms of how you feel on nic compared to analogs, and if they made a safe analog, we still would want to vape instead.

We are their true enemy though, smokers are one of them, someone they want to help; people who have never smoked, well that's the people they are now, so this just leaves us rogues who found a way to quit without quitting. Shame on us!

I have a low tolerance for stupidity so I wouldn't even bother with these fools whose unhappiness with their own lives becomes unleashed on us in fits of jealosy

 

[TallGrass]

I'll admit to not knowing much about Chantix and never considered using it. So I did a little search on that forum and found this little gem from one of the veteran members,

Every night I have to whisper to myself "nice dreams, nice dreams". If I don't I get bad dreams about evil things and people I loved who are passed on now.

Oh hell, what the hell are they putting in that stuff? I'm guessing those symptoms didn't show up in the lab rats ! (or are we the lab rats?) Glad I never touched it... not sure I would even mention it to current smokers.

 

[Kams Cats]

I belong to a semi private message board for years and recently a group of us from that board started a little stop smoking group on facebook. Some of the people joined because they planned to quit and some joined to offer encouragement. I got asked to join to talk about e-cigs since I had just quit. I told them my story and said if they were trying this was something to check out. A few did.

Well guess what? Everyone who tried cold turkey or with the patch is smoking away. All but one of the people who tried an e-cig quit. That one person still smokes a couple of times a day.

Here is the problem. Those that quit using the e-cig are having fun. Trying new flavours and equipment. Posting about deals and sending juices to each other.

Along comes one of the supporters who quit 6 years ago and posts a very negative comment about not really quitting, just substituting and how she wishes she could help us really quit properly. She believes the only way to quit is cold turkey. A few of us mentioned we had no plans of quitting vaping in the near future. It wasn't well received.

 

[smokum]

Trying to help others with a self experienced means suited to the person(s) seeking help goals and with an open mind trumps militants who are so caught up in their own belief that they can't see past their own personal success, which in the end causing more harm than good with their attitude alone.

I just wish people would state their "opinion" (in anything in life), and then stick to helping those who are indeed interested in pursuing or attempting the process, rather than slamming anyone else's process and means because it does not fit into "their" realm of understanding or experience.

CONTROL is a slippery slope...... and it becomes more difficult to realize how addictive that feeling of power has become once you close your mind to the point of shutting out common sense and general human helpfulness to a vast arena of personalities looking for help.

Live it, Share it, Move on............ We have enough "holier than thou" attitudes in this so called life.

VapeOn,
Greg

 

[kalvinf]

This has been an interesting foyer into human behaviour, the good the bad and the ugly. It seems that two groups of people that are closely alike will have the most hate between them, although the vapers involved in posting there and in ECF held a steady informative and challenging stance.

A real eye opener, but not surprising, and there is alot that could be said about it and alot of great information was generated as a "by product" that was part and parcel of the thread (here and on QSMB). Maybe it shows another good aspect of vaping, being the "kindler, gentler" way of quit smoking that doesn't land you in the rough terrain of cold turkey quitting or gum/patch/inhaler aids with the attending acidic emotions.

Vape on indeed, but it maybe cautioned to give these kinds of ex-smokers using alternate quit methods a wide berth.

 

[Concat]

I can understand that they don’t buy into the ecig movement because there is still a dependence on nicotine, but what I don’t get is why they don’t just leave it at that. They can argue all they want about whether or not it’s smoking, but it’s a moot point. Call it whatever you want, it won’t change what it is.

Seems to me that in their minds ecigs are they easy way out, and make their own accomplishments seem less significant. It’s as if they feel threatened.

You gotta understand that these people have or are trying to rid themselves of nicotine dependency. Someone starting a thread about ecigs is likely viewed as an affront on their goals and achievements. Quitting smoking is tough, and a lot of mental walls are put up. Nicotine is evil, and that sort of mentality helps them quit.

Don’t judge them for being antagonistic. Their mindset is likely what has gotten them to quit in the first place. Think about how passionate you get when people question vaping… or quote HC’s advisory. It’s that same passion that these people draw from. The goal of quitting smoking doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s the little things you tell yourself that puts one foot in front of the other.

 

[kalvinf]

That's well said Concat. I've actually learned a great deal about the harmful effects and not harmful effects of nicotine via this thread which may come down to being about the same as conventional caffeine use with a caveat for those who have pre-existing heart problems.

As for their antagonism, their admin moderator has rebuked them for that if you read the end posts of the "Dear Fred" letter post. They really don't have a moral leg to stand on to go to those lengths of attacking vapers.

 

[UnoAllaVolta]

pearls before swine

 

[Katmandu]

Hi I'm back from the "trenches" so to speak.

That thread is winding down now as the owner of that forum, Fred, has done a wonderful thing.

Instead of having everything lumped together he has made subforums for each method - including ecigs and has made himself very clear on what he wants his forum to be about.

I think we are still expecting some trouble as not everyone seems to be taking this very well over there.

But, as John has said and I agree wholeheartedly if we can save one life it's worth it.

Check it out when you have the time.

 

[kalvinf]

Yep I concur on John's assessment, if one life is saved from this then it's been more than worth it.

 

[Pipeous]

non smokers have been very supportive to me of vaping. ex smokers have always been the hard line people to deal with when it comes to smoking and such. this isn't much different. except the attacks and childish behavior that was allowed to go far too long. I applaud those that stuck it out. I am afraid I'd have been the Avery over there talking smack had I joined as I can't stand bullies.

 

[Mudder]

In what manner someone quits smoking doesn't matter to me, I will support them, however they go about doing it.

I get the feeling that those who were strong enough to quit cold turkey, are somehow feeling that all their hard work, is some how not valid, or is being threatened in some way. That if people who use an ecig are around them, that they may feel the need to start up again or something. I only wish I was strong enough to be able to quit cold turkey and stay quit. Alas I am a whimp, and need the help of an ecig to quit.

I do know one thing. When I tried quitting cold turkey, the desire to smoke never once went away. It was always there at the back of my mind, tempting me to smoke. Even in my dreams. I do not get that with the ecig. A bit of a desire at first, but, not anymore. It makes for setting the ecig down and going hours without it, and without thinking of smoking or desiring a smoke, even when others around me are smoking......empowering.