Curioser and curioser...

[jtbje]

So when I read stuff online, it seems like everyone has something negative to say about vaping or vapers or both.

When I escape from my screens and dive into the real world, everyone seems to be vaping. Seriously. So many more people than I ever even realized.

So what gives? Are we all idiots, or are we the cool guys?? It doesn’t add up.

How have people treated your vaping, and what did you think of vaping before you started?

Please note: I’m feeling extremely grateful for vaping at this point and am in no way seriously concerned about other people’s thoughts on the subject, just thought it would be interesting to read yalls opinions and experiences. No cigarettes in 11 days!!! (Cue happy dances all around) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mark Spivey]

Tobacco free for four years and two months. I will never go back to that nasty habbit! I think so many people in the general public too easily buy into the negative press and villainization of vaping, which usually can be traced back to the almighty dollar. If people would research things on their own they could see that it is a safer than smoking.

Unfortunately, a few “bad apples” impact others. I’m speaking of discourteous Vapers! Those that have little to no regard for others and indiscriminately blow their clouds. I’ve taken the time to educate others as well as being self aware so that I don’t impact others, even smokers, with my vapor.

 

[DeloresRose]

Before I started vaping I didn’t know anyone local who vaped. And I was skeptical until my niece-who ran a vape shop- told me what was in the juice.

I got a kit and started, and quit smoking so easily it was crazy.

I still only know a few vapers irl. Is it cool? Idiotic? Who cares?

I like it, I’m glad not to smoke, I enjoy shopping for mods and tanks and stuff to make juice, making coils, and all that Jazz. So I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks of it. But that’s how I’ve always been, I have never lived to please or impress anyone.

 

[Bolivar]

So when I read stuff online, it seems like everyone has something negative to say about vaping or vapers or both.
Opinions are like a certain orifice in the nether regions..everybody has one, but I don't need to hear it to know they have one. I'd say most people with negative comments are passing along something they heard or read on the internet (so it HAS to be true, right ???) without really researching it or even bothering to think about it. They are just parrots repeating what they heard.

How have people treated your vaping, and what did you think of vaping before you started?

I haven't noticed much difference in how I'm treated. A buddy and I started vaping together. We both worked in the medical field and knew smoking cigarettes was a losing proposition. We started with cigalikes in the late 90's and spent more time fiddling with them trying to get them to work than we did actually using them. But....we both saw the potential. When better equipment came along, we upgraded and neither one of us has smoked a cigarette in over 5 years. People can argue with that all they want, but it works and neither of us has keeled over dead...yet.

Congratulations on your 11 days !!! Pretty soon, you'll be a month, then 6 months, then a year....and every day it gets a little easier. You done GOOD !

 

[Rossum]

We started with cigalikes in the late 90's

This may come across as pedantic, but I think you may be off by about 10 years.

 

[madstabber]

I think the problem is that these people used to have lots of smokers to give dirty looks, the fake cough, and the “could you please take that somewhere else you filthy animal”. But now there is so few smokers out there to satisfy some folks need to ..... about something and feel superior too that we are the easy choice. Regardless of what the facts say the have just turned their ire from smokers to vapers. In the fear that people might say, “hey vaping isn’t bad for you, these people are ok” they spread misinformation and propaganda to ensure they will still be able to look down upon us from their ivory towers.

 

[Bolivar]

This may come across as pedantic, but I think you may be off by about 10 years.

Yeah, you're right. It had to be after 2001, now that I equate the timeline with other events that happened at the same time. Hell, I'm retired...I'm lucky to know what month it is anymore.

 

[jandrew]

... I have never lived to please or impress anyone.

Nor I:

(I miss summer)

 

[gandymarsh]

Had an experience a few weeks ago, or was it months (I'm old and retired too). I ran into a guy that I used to work with, someone I got along with well. Very smart guy who was good at his job.

He started telling me that he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and also that he and his wife were having problems and that they might get a divorce. The disease causes pain and muscle weakness so he can't find work that he can do.

Some of their arguments centered on the fact that she didn't like him smoking and that it might be making his disease worse.

I pulled out my vape and said this helped me quit. I said it's much safer than smoking. He replied that he heard it's worse and that some smokers live long lives.

His kids (adults) vape but he doesn't allow them to vape in his house. He said it stinks up the house.

IMO he just doesn't want to quit so he's looking for reasons not to.

 

[AngeNZ]

First off - Congrats on getting through 11 days, that is an awesome achievement

I've just done my first year smoke free. Worst part was the first 2 weeks, which is why you have my congratulations

I had to 'stop' smoking after I broke an ankle in 3 places. Got told I would face an extra month (at least) in a cast, highly increase my chances of infection, bone non-union, and other complications (found out later one of those was amputation )

So I vaped my head off - chain vaped like you wouldn't believe Also shopped my head off, with the money I saved from not smoking (not much else you can do stuck in a cast for 2 months )

Every visit to my orthopedic surgeon ended up with him being happy with my healing. And extremely happy about me vaping, instead of smoking.

After 8 months I had one of the plates removed. At my 2 week later followup appt, my surgeon looked at the healed wound and looked at me absolutely amazed. He said he'd never expected such fast healing. One of the many perks of being smoke-free for 8 months

 

[JCinFLA]

So what gives? Are we all idiots, or are we the cool guys?? It doesn’t add up.

IMO, we're not idiots, nor are we the cool guys. We're just former smokers who chose to give vaping a try, to hopefully help us finally stop smoking...and were pleasantly surprised, and thankful, that it actually worked.

 

[United States]

Congrats JT. 11 days is huge.

Yeah, I heard the whole "don't those things explode?" "Is that cotton candy?" routine at first. Pffft.

I work with one individual who plucks my nerves. She has figured out I only smoke when she's around because she knows I know she detests the smell of cigarette smoke. One coworker rat'd me out. "You do realize he only smokes while you are around, right?" lol.

I was booted out of a restaurant in about 09 for vaping. Now at that point most had no knowledge of the electric cigarette. But the manager said "patrons are complaining that it looks like you are smoking".

Nowadays I see more folks vaping in their car, the smoking area, the park etc than smokers.

Where I work is located near a large military base and I'm surprised how many young soldiers smoke. Like 3 outta 5 that I see each day.

One thing about being a vaper is when a stranger says "hey, you gotta light?" I say "yup" and hand them a chapstick sized flashlight.

 

[DeloresRose]

Yeah, you're right. It had to be after 2001, now that I equate the timeline with other events that happened at the same time. Hell, I'm retired...I'm lucky to know what month it is anymore.

Retired too. Good thing my phone tells me what day it is lol!

 

[Bolivar]

Retired too. Good thing my phone tells me what day it is lol!

Every day is Saturday when you're retired.

 

[Cynophobe]

Even the non judgemental pro vaping ewetoob vids and tv slots give me the excrements, personally, I think it looks disgusting where a vaper 'in picture' does the nostril exhale of massive cloud. I heard one kiddie to ask "Is she a dragon Daddy?" The woman vaping prolly is a dragon, but that's beside the point. That may be the cause of some consternation too where younguns who like to be noticed when they vape, are 'in shot'. I think it does the pro vaping cause no favours. Some people are idiots, that can't be helped, but if they breed, it can be.

 

[jtbje]

Thanks, guys, for all the congrats. My body feels like it’s been through some stuff this past week and a half lol and I don’t think it’s over yet.

I have to be honest, I always thought vapers were “cloud chasers” and 20 year olds who needed a better hobby. The marketing for vaping (at least that I’ve seen, anyway) leaves quite a lot to be desired. Half dressed girls blowing big clouds and who’s the YouTube guy from Australia? He drinks beer and vapes and says the f-word every chance he gets....anyway, that was my impression of vaping.

Once I was introduced to it and informed myself I felt like I had stumbled upon something entirely different. I know quitting smoking isn’t as fun as big clouds but I really wish I would have known about this sooner, and I probably would have had I not been so judgy.

As for responses I’ve gotten, everyone has been nothing but supportive, in real life and here on ECF.

Truly was surprised to start noticing all the vapers in Austin. Some with “big clouds”, some without. And doesn’t it feel a little rebellious, sticking it to BT like this? I like it. Ok I’ll stop rambling now.

 

[Cynophobe]

Thanks, guys, for all the congrats. My body feels like it’s been through some stuff this past week and a half lol and I don’t think it’s over yet.
Half dressed girls blowing big clouds and who’s the YouTube guy from Australia? He drinks beer and vapes and says the f-word every chance he gets....anyway, that was my impression of vaping.

From the land that brought you Crocodile Dundee & Steve Irwin? Nah.....never.
It sure aint me!

 

[United States]

My pop used to say "trouble with being retired is you never get a day off, a holiday off or a vacation".
I'd say "wanna trade dad?"

Funny thing is his hearing always seemed to fail when I'd ask him that question...

If he were alive I think he'd like the idea of vaping but would not likely switch from cigarettes.

 

[jtbje]

My pop used to say "trouble with being retired is you never get a day off, a holiday off or a vacation".
I'd say "wanna trade dad?"

Funny thing is his hearing always seemed to fail when I'd ask him that question...

If he were alive I think he'd like the idea of vaping but would not likely switch from cigarettes.

My mom won’t switch either. Of course she already has the dreaded diagnosis. She is going to die a smoker. It’s hard to process.

 

[gandymarsh]

who’s the YouTube guy from Australia? He drinks beer and vapes and says the f-word every chance he gets

That's Vaping Bogan. I watched one of his reviews. That was enough for me. I'm no choirboy, but that amount of cursing puts me off.