Batting average of converting smokers

[Oriana871]

This is an offshoot of NoizMaker's very heartwarming video reminding us of "The Reason Why We are Here".

Something that's been bothering me a bit... I have so many friends, coworkers and even some strangers approaching me about my ecig, saying it's fantastic (I have some clean tips on hand or take mine off for them to sample - depending on who it is of course), what a great idea it is, asking questions, etc. but have yet to have anyone take the plunge.

Three coworkers were outside in the smoking circle with me yesterday, just raving about my ecig. So I emailed them links and info, and told them I'll gladly help them in anyway I can. Didn't even receive a thank-you. Also sent an email to some other coworkers who showed interest, telling them I'd be happy to have a little pow-wow, do some taste testing, etc. Not one response.

I'm very cautious about coming on too strong, so I do all of this in a very chilled way, no pressure, just letting them know I'm here to help if they want it.

I also understand smokers being reluctant to give up analogs, or feeling self-conscious about smoking ecigs... so the question is, what has brought you success in helping people make the switch?

 

[encee_rz]

The only thing determining whether or not a person makes the switch is that person themselves. If a person isn't within the mindset that they want to quit and get off the death sticks they simply won't. I've converted a few people but the average smoker just isn't ready to give up. It's always nice to help and be there for when that person wants to switch but if they're not ready you shouldn't take it as a slight against you because all the burden is on them.

 

[Concat]

Every smoker I've spoken with seems so excited and asks all kinds of questions and then does nothing about it. I'll send them links and give them advice and pour my time into helping them... I dunno, smoking and getting cancer is just easier I guess.

A couple people did get an pv, but went against my advice and got a crappy gas station nonic one. Guess what they're still puffing on?

It's so frustrating that I've all but given up the enthusiasm when talking to interested parties.

Wow, Im a party pooper.

 

[djwyman]

well I have only tried to convert 2 people...(two women that are very important to me my mom and a girl who has been a close friend of mine and been there for me threw all the mess my ex wife put me threw) I am 1/2 my mom didn't stick with it but today I gave my friend a kit and a bunch of juice and she loves it so far....grant it is only a day but hopefully she will stick with it.

 

[NoizMaker]

The thing about vaping is, it is here now and will continue to be here for a long while. People I have helped with advice and thought were lost causes have came back to me a year plus later saying that they finally took my advice and have been off of cigs for a week, month, etc.

Some people will use the information, others won't, and some just need to take their time before they can make the switch themselves.

 

[Liv2Ski]

Yes this can certainly be a frustrating path. My success rate is 1 out of 6. I spent all the time to help them get the right gear and limit the painful (and costly) learning curve most of us went through. I firmly believe what encee states and some people just do not want to break free. It is there choice and I always try to remember how annoying the ex smoker who preaches is. I look at it this way----- I did what I could and showed them a different path, if they choose to walk it fine if not that is OK too. In the end all I can control is my own habit and I pick vaping over cigs

 

[cactusgirl]

I have introduced a bunch of people to ecigs and gone out of my way to provide them with kits along with eliquid etc. only to have them all still smoking. As someone who took to vaping like a duck to water, it is extremely frustrating, to say the least.

I am no longer quick to offer supplies or assistance to someone who merely expresses an interest anymore. Instead, I now point them toward ECF. In my experience, those who are truly interested will take the time to do their own research and will then take the next step. Others may find it 'interesting', but as noted by others here, unless that interest is accompanied by a real desire 'to quit', to them, vaping is still just a cool novelty.

 

[Oriana871]

I've got the newb enthusiasm bug! That's what it is. I guess after a while you just get used to it. So from now on, no matter how interested someone is, I'll wait until they ask me for info or links or whatever.

BTW I never preach, don't have to. I just tell them how long I smoked and that I haven't had a cig since I got my vaping gear. That says enough

Thanks all for sharing your stories.

 

[staypuffed]

i tell people that i know that if they are not satisfyed after a week that i would buy back what ever they bought juice and all so far i havent had too

 

[shades]

I tie them down and threaten ...err no wait *cough*

I give a quick shpeel now, got it down to hitting important notes and if I have done it right and much like a good juice the information will seep and turn into them coming back for more information. Then I will give more detail and offer them to ask anytime and if they still come back interested, then I will offer up a cart with the juice of their choice from what I have on me.

Once my shinnies arrive tomorrow, I will have enough hardware to loan something out over night to give them some alone personal time with it. If they really hit it hard during that time, who knows.. an analog might just taste that much worse and have them interested.

A part of my "issues" with shiny things, the other reason I got 2 KSD kits and the ss lavatube was to have lots of hardware to share with friends and family... well all of it but the ss LT

 

[Toronto_Mike]

0 out of 4 for me! I thought it was just me & my pitch. Thanks Oriana, for posting this. I guess, it does remain almost exclusively upon the smoker to seek his/her info either through us, the forum or google & youtube. From this post & my failed attempt at converting others, I've learned to just explain how the device works, how long I've smoked, how long I've gone without smoking & leave it at that.

On a side note, my sister-in-law bugged me for info for her co-worker. I gave her 2 vendor cards & wrote the ECF url on the back. Now, my sister-in-law, keeps telling me that her co-worker got a kit & is doing well with the e-cig. Go figure?

 

[shades]

I think perhaps you should get credit for pitch hitting there mike

 

[rolandpibb]

Zero for four

 

[Sec]

Well guys my batting average is extremely low. I have helped over 70 (yes over 70!) people get there hands on an e-cig. I'd order them for people (most of which are family members/friends) and educate them on how and what to do.

I can count on one hand how many people are still using them after a couple of weeks/months. Actually now that I've taken the time to count I can think of 8 people total. One quit analogs after using her e-cig for a couple of weeks and the other 7 are still using them.

I used to find it very frustrating. Now I give them the info and tell them to go online and order it if they want it.

I have taken up the mindset of that old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink". Which really suits this scenario perfectly. I have given you the best tool I have ever used to quit smoking, now its up to you to actually commit to it and use it.

 

[ChellyNelly]

Between my boyfriend and I, our percentage is quite high. We've introduced it seriously to probably about 20 people, at least 5 I know of completely quit smoking. I wouldn't care if it was 0 though, I'd still do it.

 

[torozzgrl]

Every smoker I've spoken with seems so excited and asks all kinds of questions and then does nothing about it. I'll send them links and give them advice and pour my time into helping them... I dunno, smoking and getting cancer is just easier I guess.

A couple people did get an pv, but went against my advice and got a crappy gas station nonic one. Guess what they're still puffing on?

It's so frustrating that I've all but given up the enthusiasm when talking to interested parties.

Wow, Im a party pooper.

I've had the exact same result! I think they are scared to take the real plunge. Of all the people I've spoken to (and there have been A LOT) one went ahead and bought an ego kit for her 80 yr old mom yesterday. That's cool. I hope the old bird likes it

 

[Oriana871]

I only follow-up with the people who've shown much initial interest, who've experienced a vape from me, say "oh wow, that's so great!" and "amazing!" and ask lots of questions. I get sucked in too easily Lesson learned.

One way I hope to make a difference in people's perception is by playing up the "coolness" of vaping. Even though I've just started, I want to take my mod (which is out for repair ) out to the bar/party, when I DJ, to events, etc. so that people are intrigued. Instead of asking "is that one of those electronic cigarettes?" (my Volt) they'll be, like, "what is that?". My mod is going to be decked out, very sweet looking, and I'm going to vape in style. That's what got me into vaping, seeing some mods around the smoking circle at work. I wasn't even planning to quit!

 

[Rttch]

I haven't tried converting anyone, but I'm going to bet that the real obstacle for these people is the online factor. There is something different to the convenience of going to pick up smokes from the store and the "convenience" of sitting at a computer, ordering juices and kits and parts with a bunch of information to sift through, ordering from more than one site (most likely), setting up a payment through the bank, and then waiting for everything to come in the mail. Even if you guys have spelled it out as to what exactly they should get and where, there is still uncertainty to following through with it.

It's a pretty big change and that makes it tough.

 

[Oriana871]

I haven't tried converting anyone, but I'm going to bet that the real obstacle for these people is the online factor. There is something different to the convenience of going to pick up smokes from the store and the "convenience" of sitting at a computer, ordering juices and kits and parts with a bunch of information to sift through, ordering from more than one site (most likely), setting up a payment through the bank, and then waiting for everything to come in the mail. Even if you guys have spelled it out as to what exactly they should get and where, there is still uncertainty to following through with it.

It's a pretty big change and that makes it tough.

True dat. You have to really want to do it, end of story. We're all so different. If I'm interested in something I'll research it to the nth degree (well practically). Others are not so inclined. It has to be easier for many people - the work involved can be a big deterrent. Not only all of those things you mentioned, but the fiddling as well - I do warn some people about the fiddling involved, cause it's a commitment for sure.

 

[VIVAP2]

Very interesting phenomena indeed. Most people are thinking about quitting but still nothing changes. I have been vaping for 6 months and in my circle I converted only one who is a friend of a friend. He bought a Lavatube to start with. Last time I saw him, he was proud to tell me: look, I'm smoking a real one once a week but for the rest, I'm using it.

Other than that, My wife, brothers, in-laws and many friends are still smoking cigarettes. Sometime I am wondering if part of the objection could be that everyone know people who tried patches, gums, hypnosis, laser, champix and everything and that didn't work. Why putting another 60, 80, 100$ into something that may not work...