Chicagoland

[spivey]

I'm heading to conference in a few weeks in downtown Chicago and I was wondering how vaping is looked upon up there.

Last year when I went I was still smoking, and got a lot of nasty looks (and this was outside, in a nice out-of-the-way nook by the hotel). Is vaping becoming recognizable up there? Here in south-east VA people still look at me like I'm insane.

 

[ski]

Last time I was in chicago was a couple of years ago and they had just enacted their "No smoking within 14 feet of the entrance to a public building" law. I got a ton of dirty looks from people wherever I went to smoke. Are they just viciously against smoking there?

 

[spivey]

I think it's just the northern regions in general. No offense to anyone that lives up there, but I'm from a big tobacco state so maybe I'm just used to it being a little more 'accepted'.

I was in Vermont a few years ago and while smoking in a bar that allowed it I got the feeling I was going to be lynched.

Of course I've always felt people in the higher altitudes are crabby because it's so cold

Just kidding. Hopefully since my PV doesn't look like a cig and doesn't smell like a cig things will go better.

 

[Mr Sinister]

I live near and visit there often. It depends on where in the city you are. I just have bums asking for smokes all time, and say "Sorry this is my only one."

E-cigs have been on the news a couple times, but I still don't think its very well known. Most people will probably just think your smoking.

 

[invidregis]

Probably worse now, Their still all crabby about the Olympics.

 

[nubee]

Ha! Forget the Olympics (yesterday's news) now it's all the cost increases they are slammin' down on us cause the DIDN'T get the wonder-lympics.

I get some really odd looks using my JStick outside - ya know, like WTF is that?!?!?!

Guess I don't look 'trash-ey' enough to be dealing but it is a hoot.

What I love is the "I hate your smoke hand waving in front of nose" types as they walk by or thru my....um, vapor??? Hello!!!! McFly????

EDIT: To answer original question, vaping isn't being embraced all that much here that i've noticed. I stealth vape everywhere just to avoid a 'situation'

 

[seven]

Probably worse now, Their still all crabby about the Olympics.

i think you left 2 other things:

"Probably worse now, Their still all crabby about the Olympics, the horrible Bears, and those damn Cubbies"

 

[spivey]

Probably worse now, Their still all crabby about the Olympics.

I thought the majority of locals didn't want it there?

Personally I'd be more embarrassed about Oba....opps I'm not gonna go there - religion and politics, got to remember that. Second City wasn't to forgiving about that last year. It would nice to stop by there again.

Come to think of it I won't even have to step outside the hotel to vape...now seeing the taxi drivers reaction will be exciting...

 

[Sharpie]

I haven't had issues with vaping in Chicago and I visit frequently.

 

[jj2]

As the bird flies, I'm around 100 miles away, and even in this small town, people are tight as-sed about smoking---the you're a serial killer type looks.

I've had a few occasions were people wanted to say something but stopped themselves because they didn't smell smoke after seeing the vapor.

Bloomington and Peoria are even worse so I it's hard to say about Chicago.

 

[JohnnyVapor]

I'm from the burbs of Chicago but I go to the city every few weeks. I usually stealth vape, but walking around with an e-cig will get you some dirty looks if it looks like a real analog. If you have a flashier model, people probably won't pay attention, or at least they won't think it's a cig. I have been on the receiving end of some weird looks walking around with a blue KR-808D-1 with a green LED, but that's more a look of "What the hell is that thing?".

As for vaping inside of restaurants and the like, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you're stealthing. Don't risk confrontation.

 

[spivey]

The only in-door vaping I plan on doing is in my hotel room.

It pretty much sounds the same as here in VA. I keep expecting someone to ask where I got the cool looking one-hitter from.

 

[htchhikr]

I work in downtown Chicago and 99.999% of people have no idea your not really smoking.

They are serious about the smoking ban, including the 15 feet away from building entrances (which sometimes is just the street lol).

Usually I'll go stand outside by the smokers and spread the love.

 

[chicagovaping]

yea so i live here in chicago and have school in the heart of the city. I have never had any issues with my e cig. i use it in class, on the bus, on trains, in bars, in venues, in sports arenas, in front of cops. Its not a cigarette so youll be fine if someone asks just tell them it is a nicotine replacement therapy and u are trying to quit and this vapor contains no smoke or carcinogens and also it does comply with the illinois clean air act so it is completely legal. I hope this helps. Chicago is a nice place. i dont know anyone who really cared about the olympics. most people just wanted jobs. so u guys are just bash happy hooligans.

happy vaping

 

[Lashes]

Just moved to the burbs but most people seem pretty accepting of it. Im kind of an intimidating person, I'm big and loud and dont really give a **** so even when I smoked real cigs I never had to eat **** for it, perhaps out of fear of getting punched in the face or something LOL

 

[angjen0816]

when i lived down there, i never had any problem with smoking...i don't see vaping being a problem. if you are inside a public place just go stealth mode. otherwise you will be fine

 

[bzlytbeer]

I work in downtown Chicago and 99.999% of people have no idea your not really smoking.

They are serious about the smoking ban, including the 15 feet away from building entrances (which sometimes is just the street lol).

Usually I'll go stand outside by the smokers and spread the love.

I agree. Most people don't even bother to look and notice it isn't a real cig, and since they already reak of tobacco, they cannot smell the difference either. Now, when you use one with a LED that is not the orange one, that is when I get the funny looks. Had a homeless woman come and start screaming at me once. Said I was a devil, and was just getting freaked out by my blue light! It was pretty funny!

 

[Vaponator]

Chicago is pretty Vape friendly. I live in the Burbs but am in the City daily.

Just ask before vaping and it's usually cool.

The best thing is when your walking down the street, you usually get 5-10 requests from bums asking for a smoke. I vape , puff and say, nope aint got none.

 

[angjen0816]

Chicago is pretty Vape friendly. I live in the Burbs but am in the City daily.

Just ask before vaping and it's usually cool.

The best thing is when your walking down the street, you usually get 5-10 requests from bums asking for a smoke. I vape , puff and say, nope aint got none.

Its great! people who ask you for a cigarette are like normally I tell them i quit smoking

 

[Less is more]

Haven't been down to the city since the summer. Ate dinner on the North side, went outside, and sat in the outdoor seating to vape. Got some funny looks because I was too close to the restaurant door, but no smell, so what are they going to do?

Don't know about inside. Once in awhile I slip and have a vape as I'm going into a building, but no one has ever said anything. Vaping isn't widely known about here, as people in the neighborhood ask me about it all the time.