Avoiding The Health Topic and Talk to People About Vaping

[Chris Brown]

I'm curious to see hear other people thoughts on this so please share.

This came about because of a topic regarding people that are unsupportive of us vaping instead of smoking.

Here it goes....

One thing that I observe on a regular basis is that non-vapers don't seem very interested in the health benefits.

I try to skip the health discussion all together. It seems to be a turn off unless you're talking to someone who smokes and really wants to quit.

I know that smokers take it personally when you explain "mine's healthier than yours" even if they're nice about it.

Non smokers seem to think were goofy for being addicted in the first place and they really can't identify with what it's like be off of tobacco.

People that smoked and quit and don't vape... they usually think that the only healthy choice is to do what they did or else they are generally supportive.

But here's what's good...

I have observed that non-vapers do seem to find technology and culture interesting and this is often how I bridge the gap when talking to someone about vaping.

One thing that has been really helpful is educating people about the scene.

With some of them I show them my devices and mods and tell them about the hardware, voltage, what it's called etc etc... now they ask about what device I'm using or whatever.

With others I share lingo or acronyms which they seem to find interesting.

Some people find the flavor selection interesting and now they're curious about what juice I'm vaping.

As for the health thing... The most I say is that I feel like I never smoked. In some cases I tell them it's great to be addicted without having to put the tar and carcinogens into my body but I usually try to skip that.

Lastly, for smokers that are annoyingly negative about vaping... I remind them that their cigarette tobacco gets coated with over 500 separate chemicals before they even wrap it with paper and then I say "eew." But it rarely comes to that LOL..


That's all I've got... please share.

 

[zzooti]

Agreed; I don't see anything to be gained by trying to 'educate' or 'convert' smokers; I smoked for 30 years, and I didn't give a damn what was in them, just that they were where when I wanted them. If someone asks me about it out of curiousity I'll share what I know, and if a smoker asks about it because they suddenly see a choice that they never knew existed, I'll try to point them in the right direction to get started.

 

[Glam]

I also agree....I only talk about vaping to people who come up to me and ask....then I feel them out to see if it is out of curiousity or a genuine desire to find an alternative. I do not claim it is healthier...because that is still being debated...but I do talk about the other benefits...feeling better, smelling better, able to do it in my house, being cheaper (for some of us) and all the great support on this forum.

 

[CCC]

I showed my pv to a good friend of mine who is smoking analogs while pregnant, she said "i don't want that it is full of chemicals", i nearly fell over backwards, but i just replied "well there are only 4 ingredients in here and i can tell you exactly what they are used for", i think she feels guilty about smoking in her condition so i really don't understand why she won't look at an alternative, but i won't be putting the hard sell on any of my friends again, it really causes friction.

 

[jamesthompson]

I never talk about health benefits during a conversion. For one living by the supplier code of ethics does not allow me to. I talk about how much better I feel though. Tell people what my customers have told me. Let them know there are 1000s of flavor combinations and so forth. When I am out in public I let the smokers come to me and show initial interest I never approach them. People still need to want to give up smoking cigarettes to be able to do so.

 

[datacreek]

That's odd, the majority if not all the people I've talked to or who have seen me vaping immediately and thoroughly understand the health benefits.

 

[dotma]

I agree with the OP. We kind of get it from all sides. Nonsmokers think its pointless and "gross." And smokers, some want to hear about it, some are very defensive about listening to anything about it. I still cant help but get very excited tho, when anybody shows interest and I offer help to anybody who is interested!

 

[MrAftrmth]

I'm happy I haven't had analogs in a month. However, unless people ask me, I usually don't like to preach. There aren't a lot of open minded people out there and I still quite hear people calling pvs as thee fake cigarette.

 

[DancingHeretik]

I don't mention health issues either. I just talk about the wonderful flavors, especially the Caramel Macchiato!!!!

But, for me, it was never about my health. It's about freedom! I don't get hassled or looked down upon because I smell like smoke (This is especially important at work!). And, I can smoke inside most places. Even when I can't smoke inside openly, I can sneak into the bathroom and take a couple puffs (since it won't make me smell like cigs).

Above all, it's the smell. I won't have to worry about not getting a job because I smell like cigarettes!

 

[boz]

I don't mention anything at all because I don't vape out of home. Can't be bothered with it unless I'm in my easy chair.
If I'm sanding up, I'm not vaping.

 

[rabernet]

So far, I haven't been met with any negativity with vaping, and most of my friends who are non-smokers are pleased with the smell of the flavors I'm vaping as opposed to the nasty cigarette smell I used to expose them to.

Most of my smoking co-workers are extremely interested in it as an alternative, as three of us have all switched over to vaping (on the same day no less, due to my research on vaping, and us all ordering our equipment at the same time).

 

[robblundberg]

well, i work at one of those "evil mall kiosks" (don't even get me started, i'm sooooo tired of listening to people on this forum complain about how useless we are when we're the ones exposing vaping the most to the public) and i can tell you i get 90% interest and curiosity and 10% disgust/mis-understanding.

Most people are generally curious about it whether they're a non smoker or smoker. Obviously smokers are more interested as they're seeing people be able to "smoke" inside and they want in! lol. Alot of non smokers are confused but still generally at least want to know more, and ALMOST all of the non smokers that i talk to about it on a daily basis are very interested and after 5 minutes i get most of them to be very excited that this new alternative exists.

Lots of smokers are blown away at the cost but again after a quick explanation of how much they'll save after the initial cost of the kit, most of them see the value. And most smokers love the idea of it after a quick discussion of the health benefits. There are always those select few smokers who don't care how much healthier the alternative is they want the "real thing!". I chalk that up to not being mature enough to want to give up smoking yet, regardless of age.

At the end of the day i can say with absolute certainty that 90% of the people i meet on a daily basis love the idea and are generally supportive of it after 5 minutes of my time. Only 10% walk away thinking how stupid it is, and again that's generally because they simply don't want to hear about an alternative they want to believe is a gimmick.

 

[Iffy]

If you're attentive and fairly vaping knowledgeable, the inquisitive will 'indicate' which way your explanation should go. Some want to stop smoking for health reasons or save money or both. Regardless, they almost always ask me how do I feel after seven months vaping. THAT opens the health issue door.

One thing that I avoid or hold off until last is the 'nut & bolts'/procedures/PV combinations/etc. possibilities; great way to lose the non-tinkerers up front.

I usually have at least a couple of different PVs for them to try if they wish. I also recommend that they drop in here (ECF) and to do their vape shopping on-line (cost).

 

[Sa Da Tay]

The one thing I've found consistent upon talking to the uninitiated about vaping, either smokers, non-smokers or ex-es, is they all laugh or snicker when I mention "juices". All of them. Even if they're open to the idea of vaping, they find that term curious and/or funny.

 

[jamesthompson]

The one thing I've found consistent upon talking to the uninitiated about vaping, either smokers, non-smokers or ex-es, is they all laugh or snicker when I mention "juices". All of them. Even if they're open to the idea of vaping, they find that term curious and/or funny.

I deal cards at a Casino full time. I have sold so much juice their somebody coined the term Jimbo Juice(we all have dirty minds)

They even wanted me to change my nicotine juice name from Baker Vapor to Jimbo Juice... I told them the internet would not understand our disgusting humor. Still is great when my female customers ask to buy some Jimbo Juice makes me smile every time!