Interesting thread.
Seems to me that what's going on is that vaping replaces cigarettes to the extent that it provides a competing pleasure. That's why they work - they don't just replace the nicotine, they reward in various and very compelling ways.
For people who love to tinker and the challenge of mastering fairly complex mechanical and electronic processes - stuff that requires cool little tools and a nifty skillset and intricate fiddling with tiny wires and for whom all that's a reinforcement and a positive pleasure, not a daunting and overwhelming opportunity for tedious failure, there should be a subforum called "For Technically Inclined Newbies; The Workshop". Experienced and capable mentors should be invited to participate and provide charts and graphs and manuals and stuff.
(Back in the day this forum could have been called "For blue foam people who like dremels and meters and stuff" - I stayed away from those people. But they're the ones who evolved this industry. Props.
)
For newbs who prefer user-friendly products with minimal hassle and maximum quality in that category, the reinforcement is very precisely the opposite of the above. Ease of use and someone else's ingenuity is what makes it work. Luxury is often a factor for this group, which includes collectors, compulsive shoppers and people who just prefer simplicity. For them, there could be a forum called "Plug 'n play - For Newbies Who Like It Simple and Elegant". Mentors here would mostly provide basic instruction, encouragement, new product exposure and enthusiastic support.
MVPs are packaged like Apple products for a reason.
(I remain in this category, having tried everything once, after nearly 5 years of vaping. I don't want to modify or build ANYTHING, or do math. And I love my lovely gear. )
For some people the reinforcement has to do with uber-cool, extravagant, over-the top display and competitive plumery - the young-at-heart adrenaline crowd - maybe a skull&crossbones sub-forum called, "Tats 'n Batts - Safety and Minimal Courtesy, Massive Clouds For Newbies.*" This one will overlap with the techie section but will promote cutting edge coolness, plus mentors who say things like "I'm scared for your face, brah.*"
I'm old and probably have the lingo wrong, which is why I'm not allowed on that forum - belonging to an elitist in-crowd is also reinforcing.
*(I'm sure I've got the forum name wrong, too. That's how it's supposed to be. Whatever works.)
And for newbies who just want something as close to a cigarette as possible: Like the Real Thing but Better - Best Cigalikes For Newbies. They may happily stay there forever; not everyone wants or needs a product that
evolves. Cigarettes didn't. The reinforcement is simple - as Frank Underwood put it, "Addiction Without Consequences." We can argue about tthat phrase, but it encapsulates the most fundamental reinforcement. Mentors there should know the difference between the really ineffective and un-tasty ones sold at Quikmart and the nice quality ones that really are out there and not sold by BT or giant corporations, either, for those that care.
And, for the daring, they'd know how to refill a nekkid carto.
The problem is in the jumble, wherein people are seeking and suggesting very different experiences to the wrong people. Whatever happy obsession best distracts and distances people from cigarettes is the main thing. You can probably start anywhere, so long as you're with the crowd that gets, or is willing to help you find, your basic prefs.
edit: I'm also sad writing this probably silly thing, as in the back of my mind I'm always aware that at best the FDA'S ruling is going to very, very, very severely limit these sorts of choices within the next two years, likely by this time next year. Please join CASAA if you haven't already. Respond to calls for action.
<< we didn't have this but still managed to make it all work.
