Being open about vaping to family....

[Hippieangst]

Just a curiosity as I take a quick break from some writing during this beautiful late afternoon. My father is coming for a visit soon, and I know I'll be vaping around him. I am a 20 yr smoker turned vapor (horay!) and have had some tension with my father about smoking in the past. He's not a smoker and never has been. I'm actually the only nicotine user in the family. I can see it start to play out. At first, he'll be curious about it and then possibly turn a bit critical. I've done my research with studies and am ready to drop some knowledge that there are strong indications that this is safer and cheaper. Any thoughts from the ECF folks out there about how family members reacted to your switch to vaping? Or, is there anything else I might need to know about being open about it. It's odd, but I actually feel a bit nervous about this.

 

[InTheShade]

Be prepared for amazement, curiosity, acceptance and criticism - probably in equal measures and all in the space of about a day. This is just my experience, but I have had to change my 'friends' because of their judgement of me and my vaping. It's funny, they never judged me as hard or as unfairly when I was a smoker.

Of course, you can't change your father, but all you can do is try to explain what it is you are trying to achieve (in my case, harm reduction) and hope for acceptance. It sounds like you have done your homework, so try to relax and just let any judgement flow over you.

Finally, even if you don't get his approval or acceptance, realize that you have made the change for your reasons and not to please anyone else. It would be fantastic if he would see it through your eyes, but he may not - be prepared for any reaction and try not to judge yourself by other family members parameters but by your own.

Success is measured in how many cigarettes you haven't smoked, not in nods, smiles and acceptance of others - no matter how close to us those that judge are.

Good luck, I really sincerely hope it's a positive experience.

 

[Hippieangst]

It will probably will be...with certain things in my life, I realize I am a glass half empty type of person, but man, oh, man, is my glass overflowing when I think about vaping! It'll just be nice to vape openly instead of not smoking until he goes to bed.

Be prepared for amazement, curiosity, acceptance and criticism - probably in equal measures and all in the space of about a day. This is just my experience, but I have had to change my 'friends' because of their judgement of me and my vaping. It's funny, they never judged me as hard or as unfairly when I was a smoker.

Of course, you can't change your father, but all you can do is try to explain what it is you are trying to achieve (in my case, harm reduction) and hope for acceptance. It sounds like you have done your homework, so try to relax and just let any judgement flow over you.

Finally, even if you don't get his approval or acceptance, realize that you have made the change for your reasons and not to please anyone else. It would be fantastic if he would see it through your eyes, but he may not - be prepared for any reaction and try not to judge yourself by other family members parameters but by your own.

Success is measured in how many cigarettes you haven't smoked, not in nods, smiles and acceptance of others - no matter how close to us those that judge are.

Good luck, I really sincerely hope it's a positive experience.

 

[kabonk]

well here's hoping for his support. everybody reacts differently to it. I work with some people that say I still smoke and there is nothing i can say to change their minds because I still use nicotine and it looks like smoke so I must be smoking. my Mom was very supportive for the first month and then every time I saw her she'd ask so when are you going to quit vaping? she finally stopped asking after the first year. hope it works out for you.

 

[Absintheur]

If he has issues I would set him down and ask him to read a few of the reports that show is is far less harmful than smoking before he forms a judgement. My family is very accepting and happy I vape instead of smoking.

 

[Chimney34]

I've had mixed reviews from friends & family. Most have been very happy & excited for me. My sister even told one of her friends what I was doing & they called to ask me some questions. Even today one of my coworkers told me that after talking to me he just happened to be at a racing event this weekend in Charlotte & they ran into a booth set up from Madvapes. He'd been trying to convert his mom since he saw my ecig & she actually purchased a starter based on what I'd told him. The good thing is that's been the majority of reactions I've gotten so far but unfortunately the people's opinions who matter the most from us sometimes don't match up. No matter what keep in perspective that this switch was for YOU! Not anyone else!! YOU! Be extremely proud of yourself! Even if they don't like it they'll eventually have to come to terms with it! Do not go into the situation seeking acceptance! Try to educate them as best you can! Hope for the best & if you don't get a favorable reaction don't let it get to you. This vaping world is still pretty new & unheard of to many of those around us. Given time they'll see the positive impact & all of the benefits that have come from your decision! Good luck! I hope that your family is very proud of you & happy for you!!

 

[Topdogie01]

My parents reaction when they found out i started smoking cigs was horrible. I didnt talk to them for a month because I was so upset with them.
When they visited while i was vaping they were happy for me and my dad has been on the lookout for different diy supplies i may need and trying to think of different flavors for me to try and him to smell lol.

 

[Hippieangst]

You're so right. This is for me. It's my taste buds; it's my lungs. My wife, so far, has been very supportive of this and encouraging. Not to mention that she LOVES the fact that I don't reek anymore.

I've had mixed reviews from friends & family. Most have been very happy & excited for me. My sister even told one of her friends what I was doing & they called to ask me some questions. Even today one of my coworkers told me that after talking to me he just happened to be at a racing event this weekend in Charlotte & they ran into a booth set up from Madvapes. He'd been trying to convert his mom since he saw my ecig & she actually purchased a starter based on what I'd told him. The good thing is that's been the majority of reactions I've gotten so far but unfortunately the people's opinions who matter the most from us sometimes don't match up. No matter what keep in perspective that this switch was for YOU! Not anyone else!! YOU! Be extremely proud of yourself! Even if they don't like it they'll eventually have to come to terms with it! Do not go into the situation seeking acceptance! Try to educate them as best you can! Hope for the best & if you don't get a favorable reaction don't let it get to you. This vaping world is still pretty new & unheard of to many of those around us. Given time they'll see the positive impact & all of the benefits that have come from your decision! Good luck! I hope that your family is very proud of you & happy for you!!

 

[Hippieangst]

Thanks you all for the insights. Because it is still so new to the mainstream, it's just difficult to predict how people will react. I was out with some friends the other night. I pulled out my PV and started vaping away, and they didn't even bat an eyelash.

I'm hoping he'll be groovy with it. He's a bit of a chemist-type person and may be able to help me hunt down some DIY supplies. Thanks for jogging my memory, Topdogie01!

 

[mcol]

Good luck. I'll be visiting my elderly parents next month and will be in the same boat so to speak. Got some heavy duty
nic so I don't need much to satisfy, and other than that I won't vape openly in their house. And if they should ask I'll tell them.
But I'm the only nic user in my family as well so I don't expect much.

 

[MsComptrtchr]

Nobody in my family smokes unless you count cigars, which apparently don't count because they only do it on special occasions (where's that eyeroll icon when you need it?) They hated the fact that I smoked - it added to my "black sheep" personnae that I wore so well

When I "came out" about vaping (umm, right away) my mom was immediately supportive and curious. My dad just laughs it off. My sister, who is a scientist and very health-conscious, was absolutely supportive. In fact, she said she was actually thinking about telling me about vaping.

My friends and co-workers on the other hand are the ones saying, "great, but you're still addicted to nicotine right?" Arggggg!!!

Carry your PV proudly, no matter what anyone says. Don't let'em see you sweat!

 

[wv2win]

I hope you went to CASAA and downloaded some of the information on the studies that clearly show that vaping is 100% safer than smoking. I would also reference three of the long time anti-smoking activites, Brad Rodu, Professor of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Bill Godshaw, Smoke Free Pennsylvania and Dr Michael Siegel, Professor of Public Health, Boston University. All three have written and testified on the safety of vaping and the need to promote vaping as a break-through in Harm Reduction Therapy. Even Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona is now a proponent of vaping as a Harm Reduction alternative to smoking. Here is one of the more recent articles on vaping with some good information:

Could e-cigarettes save smokers


And if it's of any help, both my personal physican (Internest) and my dentist are supportive of my switch to vaping.

Good Luck

 

[GaryInTexas]

I'm just a cranky old guy now but I have never been too tolerant of people who have not had addictions try to tell me how to do deal with mine. I will spend 5 minutes explaining why. If after that they are still critical, then that's on them.

 

[Orobas]

Finally, even if you don't get his approval or acceptance, realize that you have made the change for your reasons and not to please anyone else. It would be fantastic if he would see it through your eyes, but he may not - be prepared for any reaction and try not to judge yourself by other family members parameters but by your own.

This.

I mean, in an ideal world our families would be accepting of us and who we are and the choices we make. That's not always the case, though. If he can accept that you're trying to trade a potentially fatal habit for a different one, then excellent. If not? Well. You're both adults and hopefully you can agree to disagree without your relationship suffering.

 

[HauntedMyst]

I say come out of the closet loud and proud and be a flamboyant Vapor!


If he doesn't accept you, punch him in the throat and establish dominance.

 

[Roots820]

I recently had a conversation about vaping with my sister in law who is a pharmacist. She was very supportive and even came to my defense indicating that it is very similar to other nicotine replacement therapies such as the patch or gum, but seems to be way more effective. I couldn't agree more.

A simple video to watch from a well known and trusted source is from The Doctors TV show. They did a segment on ecigs and ecigars and said it is absolutely a better alternative to smoking. Some of them even puffed on the ecigar and were doing the "I gotta get some of this" smile. You can find it on YouTube if you search for the doctors ecig.

 

[Hippieangst]

I did indeed. I must have researched vaping for about a month before I even bought my first PV. I knew the benefits; I just didn't know where to start until I met someone vaping...as the story goes... the rest is history.

Heck, he may have even read up on this without me knowing.

I hope you went to CASAA and downloaded some of the information on the studies that clearly show that vaping is 100% safer than smoking. I would also reference three of the long time anti-smoking activites, Brad Rodu, Professor of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Bill Godshaw, Smoke Free Pennsylvania and Dr Michael Siegel, Professor of Public Health, Boston University. All three have written and testified on the safety of vaping and the need to promote vaping as a break-through in Harm Reduction Therapy. Even Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona is now a proponent of vaping as a Harm Reduction alternative to smoking. Here is one of the more recent articles on vaping with some good information:

Could e-cigarettes save smokers


And if it's of any help, both my personal physican (Internest) and my dentist are supportive of my switch to vaping.

Good Luck

 

[Hippieangst]

On numerous occasions in the past, I had tried the gum and the lozenges but to no avail. It was weird, I'd get done with a lozenge and say to myself, now, where's the real thing? Now, I get done with some flavor and say to myself, what flavor is next. If those other methods were more successful for folks, there'd be nicotine lozenge forums, and nicotine gum forums (NLF / NGF), ha.

I recently had a conversation about vaping with my sister in law who is a pharmacist. She was very supportive and even came to my defense indicating that it is very similar to other nicotine replacement therapies such as the patch or gum, but seems to be way more effective. I couldn't agree more.

A simple video to watch from a well known and trusted source is from The Doctors TV show. They did a segment on ecigs and ecigars and said it is absolutely a better alternative to smoking. Some of them even puffed on the ecigar and were doing the "I gotta get some of this" smile. You can find it on YouTube if you search for the doctors ecig.

 

[trouble1000]

I recently went for a meal with all my extended family - 30 of us in total.

5 of the group are smokers (no intentions of quitting or vaping), they had to keep going outside for a nicotine fix, whereas I stayed inside and vaped instead.

Everyone in our group was really interested, asking questions and wanting demonstrations. Except for my brother-in-law, who can be a bit of a know-it-all at times. He kept quiet about my vaping, which I thought was rather strange, because I was expecting a good grilling from him. But when I popped to the rest room, he caught me as I came out and said I shouldn't be vaping indoors. So I asked why. His comments were:
1). Exploding e-cig batteries.
2). Harmful nicotine in the vapour.
3). Unknown ingredients in the liquid.

My replies were:
1). Reports of exploding batteries happened where users used batteries that were not compatable with their equipment, like using a car battery to power a mobile phone.
2). The minute traces of nicotine that I may exhale are no more harmful than the caffeine in your coffee. Plus you've just been eating traces of nicotine in the tomato you had with your side salad.
3). I know exactly what is in my juices, because I make them myself from pharma grade ingredients.

That's the first time I've ever won a debate with him

Some of my answers may have been a bit OTT, but at least I got my point across

 

[mare ze dotes]

On numerous occasions in the past, I had tried the gum and the lozenges but to no avail. It was weird, I'd get done with a lozenge and say to myself, now, where's the real thing? Now, I get done with some flavor and say to myself, what flavor is next. If those other methods were more successful for folks, there'd be nicotine lozenge forums, and nicotine gum forums (NLF / NGF), ha.

yes, Really!