Ashamned?

[Valkylrie]

The truth is I always felt a little shame smoking analogs; I hid it from my family and my kids. My wife and oldest (16) knew of course and my friends knew. But I hid my smoking from my youngest children (3 and 5), and from my family and my wife’s family.

Now that I am vaping, I still want to hide that. I know its better for me, but I still don't want my little ones to see me "smoking or vaping" as I know they are impressionable and they want to do everything Dad does. I can imagine my mother-in-law would rather have me on analogs, as they are likely to kill me faster LOL. My father-in-law, a retired chemistry teacher, would appreciate the lessoned effects and danger of vaping over analogs.

My question is this, Are they’re others in a similar situation and how do you handle it? How have those around you adjusted to your vaping?

 

[geeker]

Vaping is my victory.

 

[Mac]

I am not ashamed of vaping. Nor was I ashamed of smoking. I am however ashamed of the way our federal government is using my tax dollars to spread fear and misinformation for the purposes of greed and political control.

 

[surbitonPete]

18 years ago I managed to give up smoking for a year and then started smoking again I have always felt ashamed of myself for doing such a stupid thing.

 

[Bruce H]

Personally- I've never been ashamed of smoking or drinking for all that matters. We are a free society and I wasn't put here to be an example to anyone. IMHO.

What I am ashamed of is the fact I can buy cigarettes and alcohol. Yet, the same people who give me the dirty looks and say what they say gladly accept the tax revenue- every year.

Go figure.

 

[scott58]

I am not ashamed of vaping. Nor was I ashamed of smoking. I am however ashamed of the way our federal government is using my tax dollars to spread fear and misinformation for the purposes of greed and political control.

You bet. Our governments have the market cornered on shame and it doesn't just involve e-cigs. Everyone of us are angels compared to them.

 

[Badbeams3]

Yes. I also feel ashamed of myself for smoking...but I don`t go out of my way to hide it. To me vaping looks even worse. I see the ytube vids and it looks like drug guys preparing there fix....dropping their drugs in there before firing up. And then trying to get as big of a hit...or cloud to come out as they can. I know thats just part of the thrill...and way, way better than cigs. But it sure doesn`t look right LOL.

 

[Crankyfuzz]

ever seen a smoker without analogs and how they will go around trying to bum one off of someone...whats the difference we are just getting our fix in a healthier way

 

[frankie1]

You are who you are. Every thing that has happened to us up until this point has made us whoever we are. I would only be ashamed of my "habits" if I were ashamed of who I am.

If I am ashamed of who I am....I WILL change that.

JMHO

 

[AngusATAT]

I always had a twinge of shame when I was a smoker, probably because of the comments I got from folks I worked with, who are mostly non-smokers. But as far as vaping is concerned, I'm proud of it. I'm not an "in your face" vaper, but I do it openly, and I'm always glad to take a few minutes to talk to curious folks about it.

Vaping is a victory for me and my family. And they're very supportive of my choice for a healthier lifestyle.

 

[Don'tReadTheRunes]

I'm not ashamed of vaping at all. I brag about it now. When asked, I tell the truth - I'm a non-smoker. Then I pull out my PV. I vaped in the non-smoking section of Applebees last night. I was what one could consider a 'courteous' smoker. If I was in the presence of non-smokers, I would refrain until outdoors or out of the car. Now I vape whenever. Everybody so far has been fascinated and not repulsed.

 

[julianka]

I was a closet smoker too, though eventually I told my husband. Now my 11-year-old son knows I vape. I wasn't going to tell him but my husband did, and I'm okay with it. I hate that he looks curiously at my PV and I have to tell him it's NOT for kids - yet I turn around and go on about how completely safe it is for me. I haven't told my mom but I think I will eventually.

 

[jj2]

I'm not shy about telling everyone about vaping.
The only exception is kids. I don't like vaping in front of them.
One of those kids is my grandchild (GC)---five years old and didn't know I smoked or doesn't know I vape. My one and only GC lives in N. C. so it isn't that hard to keep it a secret. Wish GC lived next door and it was harder.

 

[BARENETTED]

I am not ashamed of vaping. Nor was I ashamed of smoking. I am however ashamed of the way our federal government is using my tax dollars to spread fear and misinformation for the purposes of greed and political control.

Very sad - isn't it Mac!

 

[kristin]

I've always been a bit of a closet smoker. A lot of people I knew didn't know I smoked and I went out of my way to hide it from clients, so they didn't judge me based on being a smoker. Not sure why I thought it would matter to them.

It has made it more difficult to discuss vaping. The other day, I had the urge to post my smoke free days on my Facebook page and I didn't because it would have been admitting publically that I even WAS a smoker.

Sad really. I'd like to get over myself and be able to get the word out about the positive aspects of vaping!

 

[Sheryl]

I was a smoker for 40years, the last 2 years I've felt terrible smoking. I went through cancer and treatment took 50% of my lungs, I was dx with mild COPD on top of that. My poor family had to watch me continue to smoke while it scared them to death. They are all happy with my vaping, and tell me they are proud of me. I openly vape where ever I won't get in trouble. I'm 54, and want to stay around for awhile. I could quit with Commit, and Chantix for a couple months at a time, but it never lasted. I started vaping 1 month ago tomorrow, and haven't had an analog since. I hope that this works for me long term, and for all of you.

 

[AngelBunny]

I don't vape in front of people that I didn't smoke in front of ... which is pretty much everyone except for close friends and my sister. The rest of my family would have had a field day if they knew I smoked ... my grandad died from the complications of smoking even though he had been smoke free for 15 years when he died and in my family there are few things that are worse or more looked down upon.

I also have never smoked in front of my children and now don't vape in front of them ... because they are impressionable. It is a PITA to hide this kind of thing, especially because I think that vaping is truly an amazing thing now. I am just too chicken to deal with the ensuing conversation and chiding that would come from most people I know.

 

[ladyraj]

Wow.......

 

[USMCvaping]

I've always been a bit of a closet smoker. A lot of people I knew didn't know I smoked and I went out of my way to hide it from clients, so they didn't judge me based on being a smoker. Not sure why I thought it would matter to them.

It has made it more difficult to discuss vaping. The other day, I had the urge to post my smoke free days on my Facebook page and I didn't because it would have been admitting publically that I even WAS a smoker.

Sad really. I'd like to get over myself and be able to get the word out about the positive aspects of vaping!

Wow i am in the same boat, I was going to link my facebook as well. I smoked for 9 years and been off cigs for 3 weeks now with my 901. Problem was only my wife and a few close friends new I smoked. Now I just excuse myself to the rest room for a nice vape.

 

[Porphy]

There's nothing to be ashamed of, you are making a healthier choice and should be proud of that. As a teacher and former kid I can tell you two things:

1.) At some point, if they don't already, your kids will be aware that you vape, that you smoked, and a myriad of other bad things you hoped they'd never find out.

2.) Kids will be 90% more interested in the thing daddy hides from them then the thing daddy does normally.

I'm an advocate of the informed approach. Vape around them and let them know what you are doing and most importantly why you are doing it. Let them understand that smoking was a bad and dangerous decision and that vaping is your way of trying to correct that mistake. Children are little people and will make their own decisions as they grow up whether you like it or not. The ability to guide them to an informed decision is yours, as well as the ability to allow them to make blind choices.

I vape openly and without fear of repercussion, in a way that makes it more acceptable to those around me. When they realize that I have made a positive change and that my decision is "my decision" then talk opens up to more amiable pursuits. I have quite a family of smokers and because of these positive steps and my willingness to share I now have a goodly portion of them vaping as an alternative. I have made it clear to my (much) younger brother and nieces and nephews why I vape and what it is doing to me and why it is a reactionary decision and not something to be taken up as a habit.

The people in my social network have supported me and quite a few of my old "smoking buddies" have become fellow vapers. Those old smoking buddies that still cling to the analogs are slowly making the switch.

I highly doubt that I could have affected as much change as I have if I had carried an air of shame around, but then again I never saw any reason to be ashamed of vaping.