"Don't do that in the house!"

[Inultus]

My GF used to smoke and I think that what she hates most about smoking is, in this order, how it smells, how it hurts my health and how much it costs.

When I took up vaping I blew it right in her face to prove to her it didn't smell bad or water her eyes. She even took a vape herself. She is very proud of me and should be! No issue with in-house vaping.

 

[Thulium]

SuZamme,

I was having some fun with math yesterday that might be helpful for you.

Here's the numbers I began with: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones (Thanks again, Dr. Siegel!)

When I was smoking, I was typically going through about a pack of Camels each day. Each cigarette contains about a gram of tobacco, so that is 20 x 7450ng = 149,000ng. Nevermind the 4000+ chemicals that are completely eliminated, it takes over 18 kilograms of e-liquid to expose yourself to as many nitrosamines I was getting every day that I smoked. ...That is approximately one milliliter per day for almost fifty years. Heck, even if I use 2ml every day, I'll still be 60 years old before I've exposed myself to as many carcinogens as I was getting every day as a smoker.

Some other useful facts: The biggest risk from analog smoke to non-smokers is not secondhand smoke (what you exhale), but rather the sidestream smoke (what comes off the end of a cigarette between puffs) because most of the nicotine and other chemicals in smoke is absorbed by the smoker before being released second-hand. Personal vaporizers are only activated when in use so there is ZERO sidestream vapor, and anything that might be in "second-hand" vapor evaporates within a few seconds after exhaling.

If your partner is concerned about being exposed to Nicotine, according to Dr. Seigel, "There is no valid concern there." During the doctors recent interview at Vapersplace, I asked about this specifically and he said that even cigarette smoke does not expose non-users to a significant level of nicotine, much less second-hand vapor.

That leaves Propylene Glycol and/or Vegetable Glycerin. Lets say you use 3ml of e-liquid every day. That means you are subjecting yourself to as much fog juice as is used by a typical fog machine in less than 30 seconds.

If you're using 2 cartridges(1ml) from the FDA study every day for a year, the user is exposed to less propylene glycol than by a fog machine over the course of 2 hours and fewer nitrosamines than there are in a single Camel cigarette. In other words, I am exposed to more chemicals every time I attend or work at a concert (I work at the Rose Garden arena in Portland) than I'll get from using my PV all year.

 

[Charlie58]

My Mother in Law is an ex smoker, one of the ones who on the first day she could say she didn't smoke any more develped a choking reaction when ever she realized any one in the vicinity was smoking.
We moved in with her after my father in law died.
We smoked out side or in our bed room only.
After I started vaping she would only ask when does this make you stop completely?
Then I showed her an article Found here.http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/6/1/29

She has not bothered me about vaping since.
In fact it doesn't bother her for me to be next to her and vape when she walks up and wants to talk. The funny thing is that I bought my wife a 510 kit and she started out liking it but still smokes analogs.
Now all her mom can say is I'll be glad when my daughter vapes instead of smoking those d$%# cigarettes.

 

[SuZamme]

Thanks for taking the time to put together the detailed information. I am sharing that with my partner and others.

As far as the second-hand smoke from analogs goes, I never ceased to be amazed at how many people choose to believe only what they want to believe in the face of empirical evidence that points to the contrary. This wave of no smoking ordinances and yet how many innocent people are killed each year because of alcohol? At least when we smoked analogs, we were only killing ourselves, eh?
Vape on!!!!

 

[SarahTheRed]

I rarely smoked in the house. When I got my first PV, I asked my husband, "It's okay to use this in the house, since it's not really smoking, right?" (i.e., kinda asked permission; kinda said I was going to do it anyway.) He just gave me a look, and said "we'll see how it goes." That was nearly 6 months ago.

He doesn't mind the smell of vapor, and really enjoys that I don't take "intermissions" when we're watching TV or movies any more. He's happier with me taking a drag or two in his truck, instead of waiting outside restaurants or stores for me to smoke.

Actually feeling like he really supported my switch to PVs took a while, though. I think he was under the impression that this would be as effective as the other times I tried to quit smoking -- I'd be excited for several days, then turn into the spawn of the devil, then go back to smoking. With that in mind, as I kept buying more accessories, juices, etc., he thought it was a big waste of money.

About a month and a half into it, I finally sat down with him, and said, "Look, baby, I haven't smoked in over a month. That's the longest I've gone without a cigarette since I was 15. I know you're concerned about the cost, but I've added it up, and the cost is still less than half of what I was spending on cigarettes. This is important to me. I feel really good about this, and I'm proud of myself, and I want you to feel good about this and be proud of me, too." Since then, he's been 100% supportive and encouraging. I think it helps that I've converted my 3 smoking friends, too.

My mom, on the other hand, is always asking when I'm going to "quit completely." No matter how often I tell her that I'm doing awesome having been smoke free for almost 6 months, and that I'm starting to cut back on the nicotine levels, she's still really bothered by my "addiction." It won't matter how often I compare my nic addiction to her caffeine addiction, or when I finally get to 0 nicotine. She is always going to have a negative gut reaction to the idea of the physical behavior of "smoking." Big picture -- that's her hangup, not mine, and I'm going to continue to feel awesome about my new habit.

Your girl may not ever be totally comfortable with your vaping, and that's okay. Eventually, y'all will find some middle ground. In the meantime, be proud of what you've accomplished!

 

[ladysolitary85]

I rarely smoked in the house. When I got my first PV, I asked my husband, "It's okay to use this in the house, since it's not really smoking, right?" (i.e., kinda asked permission; kinda said I was going to do it anyway.) He just gave me a look, and said "we'll see how it goes." That was nearly 6 months ago.

He doesn't mind the smell of vapor, and really enjoys that I don't take "intermissions" when we're watching TV or movies any more. He's happier with me taking a drag or two in his truck, instead of waiting outside restaurants or stores for me to smoke.

Actually feeling like he really supported my switch to PVs took a while, though. I think he was under the impression that this would be as effective as the other times I tried to quit smoking -- I'd be excited for several days, then turn into the spawn of the devil, then go back to smoking. With that in mind, as I kept buying more accessories, juices, etc., he thought it was a big waste of money.

About a month and a half into it, I finally sat down with him, and said, "Look, baby, I haven't smoked in over a month. That's the longest I've gone without a cigarette since I was 15. I know you're concerned about the cost, but I've added it up, and the cost is still less than half of what I was spending on cigarettes. This is important to me. I feel really good about this, and I'm proud of myself, and I want you to feel good about this and be proud of me, too." Since then, he's been 100% supportive and encouraging. I think it helps that I've converted my 3 smoking friends, too.

My mom, on the other hand, is always asking when I'm going to "quit completely." No matter how often I tell her that I'm doing awesome having been smoke free for almost 6 months, and that I'm starting to cut back on the nicotine levels, she's still really bothered by my "addiction." It won't matter how often I compare my nic addiction to her caffeine addiction, or when I finally get to 0 nicotine. She is always going to have a negative gut reaction to the idea of the physical behavior of "smoking." Big picture -- that's her hangup, not mine, and I'm going to continue to feel awesome about my new habit.

Your girl may not ever be totally comfortable with your vaping, and that's okay. Eventually, y'all will find some middle ground. In the meantime, be proud of what you've accomplished!

My mom is sort of the same way... she doesn't understand it doesn't see the thrill of it. Shes a traditional "why can't you smoke the real thing" analog smoker.

I got lucky with my guy, I kinda introduced him to it... we both decided together that we were going to try it. Loved it, and I still plan on doing it.

 

[DaBrat]

From smoking to vaping.

I was a two pack a day smoker who has been smoking for nearly 30 years. At home I generally smoked in my home office with the door closed and the purifier going or outside. My son still complained about the residual smoke on both me and his clothes (located on the other side of the house).

My son is a 16 year old asthmatic who discovered ecigs for me. When I first started vaping I would ask him to leave the room and he would complain if I forgot and took a drag while he was in the room. Eventually, he realized that not only was it not bothering him but, he claimed to be able to smell a faint incense like scent and enjoyed it. Now I feel comfortable vaping during a movie with him in the room.

I suffer from RA. I have not had a flair since starting the ecig to any significant degree. I went back to analogs for about two weeks due to losing some batts and having no decent working equipment and found myself in the urgent care clinic getting predisone shots and taking a week's worth of steroid treatment. When I explained to the doctor that I had not had a flair in some time and that the only thing I had changed was my use of the ecig, his response was 'Get back on those ecigs!'. No kidding.

Maybe this story will assist you with speaking with your partner and convincing her that you ARE doing something good for yourself.

Sometimes I think ex-smokers are like dry drunks. People who quit smoking without addressing the issues that cause them to smoke. They are miserable and want to share the misery.

 

[heath]

SuZamme,
I'm new here, just read this whole thread, and i dont know you or your partner at all, but this does seem, as a few others have suggested, a control thing pure and simple. There are other issues thrown in possibly, but control seems to be central. Your partner's attempt at straight out bullying did not work, now it's switched over to guilt. Hopefully this person will realise this and back off. If not, that's their problem, not yours. I applaud you because you have handled this in a very dignified and patient manner. Too bad your partner can't do the same. Keep the faith. You are doing great!!

 

[dallascat]

Been vaping for 2 days, always smoked outside and since its Hawaii, we have no excuses...

Hubby is a non-smoker, I grabbed my toker and juice to go inside to wach a movie and he look shocked and asked *in the house??* I guess too him, it looks too much like smoke and doesnt get it YET, I took it with me anyway! Im hoping when he sees that this helps me get off the analogs (only 2 in the last 2 days) that costs us 70 bucks a week, he will see that the 200 Ive spent on my e-cig stuff is more than worth it!

Im psyched, my intention wasent even to get off the analogs, I just wanted something I could get away with at hotels, pools, beaches... but now I really think I will be analog free soon and he will have to be happy about that!!

Good luck everyone!

 

[Moonflame]

I think it is interesting that so many people think that nicotine is the bad stuff in cigarettes, when actually nicotine is no worse for you than caffeine. Does anyone ever assault caffeine users by asking them when their going to quit their addiction? Does your partner drink coffee or soda? I think if she is still trying to make you feel guilty with the "enjoy your addiction comments" maybe showing her how it feels by making the same comment every time she opens a soda or pours herself a cup of coffee. I realize that this sounds like sinking to her level, but I think of it more as pointing out to her how it makes you feel. How would she like being banned from the house every time she drinks a cup of coffee, wouldn't it make her feel like a lesser human being because she couldn't be herself in her own home. Does she also want you to give up eating all of the foods that contain nicotine to "overcome your addiction." Tell her you are perfectly willing to ban nicotine from the house, and then list all of the foods that means you can no longer have in the home. Start with potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, some red and green peppers, paprika, and cayenne pepper. There are more if you google it, but I bet she wouldn't be happy having to give those up to help you get over your addiction to a substance that isn't going to hurt you unless you have heart problems to start with and have been told to avoid caffeine and nicotine.

 

[jaded]

My brother never let me smoke in his house but he is fine with the vaping.

I vape about anywhere I used to smoke, my house smells much better now, bars don't care even with the smoking ban. One bar is even thinking of selling them and continuing to be nonsmoking.

 

[Milano]

boy... and I flip out if someone doesn't let me smoke ANALOGS in THEIR house. (I do have a bit of a 1940s mindset regarding that)

lol


that's pretty crazy, to be told not to vape in your own residence.

 

[lilith79]

I've been looking into vaping for many reasons, one being that it is non-offensive to non-smokers. However, my non-smoking hubby insists he wouldn't want it being done in the house. He doesn't care that it doesn't have a smell like cigs do. I think he's a little concerned about our kids seeing it, but they already know I smoke so I don't see the difference.

 

[Harlequin]

That leaves Propylene Glycol and/or Vegetable Glycerin. Lets say you use 3ml of e-liquid every day. That means you are subjecting yourself to as much fog juice as is used by a typical fog machine in less than 30 seconds.

If you're using 2 cartridges(1ml) from the FDA study every day for a year, the user is exposed to less propylene glycol than by a fog machine over the course of 2 hours and fewer nitrosamines than there are in a single Camel cigarette. In other words, I am exposed to more chemicals every time I attend or work at a concert (I work at the Rose Garden arena in Portland) than I'll get from using my PV all year.

Isn't there a massive difference in terms of concentration, though? Vapor from a fog machine is dispersed into the air, so unless you were tailpiping the nozzle, I would have thought your effective exposure would be much less than you get by vaping. Also, a concert or play might last an hour or two, but in vaping we're potentially looking at many years worth of concentrated inhalations.

There's also the question of prolonged and concentrated inhalation of food flavoring chemicals.

Empirical evidence definitely suggests that vaping is much better for us than smoking, but when we get down to it, we're still first-generation lab rats.

 

[BardicDruid]

Before you start vaping on campus, do what I did and get the smoking campus cops and security using them first. Boy did that stop a lot of problems.

 

[invisiblewardog]

I decided one morning to vape at the kitchen table after breakfast over coffee while my partner was doing the dishes.

Reason enough? lol

 

[beecee]

Before you start vaping on campus, do what I did and get the smoking campus cops and security using them first. Boy did that stop a lot of problems.

lol, love it. That's a great idea. I think almost all of our security guards at my company smoke. I see half of them smoking on the street and smell the other half as they walk by. I always think they will say something to me for vaping right outside the break room door but they don't. I just figure it's a matter of time. Or maybe they will give me grief for vaping at my desk. If they do I'll have to switch the subject to..."Hey, I smell smoke, have you smoked today? Would you like to know more about this harmless little device I'm using?"

 

[CaptJay]

wow - well..my 2 cents then
Imo there are 2 possible reasons for your wife/partner's reaction.
1. She is desperately worried that nicotine addiction will kill you. Instead of voicing this worry she displays it as iron willed determination to change your path to 'nothing at all'. This expresses as anger and sarcasm. It covers fear. If this is likely (and you know her best) you have to get her to confront this and ask her what her 'worse case scenario' would be. Once this is out in the open it may be easier to move on from this point.
Not confronting this fear will lead to more anger on her part.

2. She has control issues. You are doing something she had not previously approved of, you are 'acting without persmission' and this is unacceptable to her. Every time you vape it is an act of defiance in her eyes. She is unlikely to admit to this, if this is the case. You must examine your life together to know if this is likely. Other behaviour would include manipulation or a wish to manipulate more than just you, for example, family members. This behaviour would be apparent in more than THIS area unless you are unusually compliant /laid back /easy going generally, and let her 'do the thinking for both of you'. If this is likely there is no cure other than counselling, either together or apart.

The sudden onset of 'headaches from vaping' from her could attribute to either of these scenarios; in both cases however it IS a control mechanism. 'This is making me ill and if you loved me you would stop' is basically the underlying message.

I hope you two manage to sort this out, but I would NOT give too much ground on this - you are not a doormat. A wise person once said 'we are treated the way we allow ourselves to be'
I wish you well

 

[Vocalek]

This may be a control issue, but then again it might be a lack of information.

Over the years, we have been brainwashed to equate smoking with nicotine. I have seen harms that are caused by smoking erroneously attributed to nicotine even on web sites run by the U.S. Health and Human Services!

Over the years we have come to think of nicotine as one of the two harmful substance in smoke because all of the hype about "light" cigarettes being better for you because they are "lower in tar and nicotine."

Tar is terribly harmful in terms of lung health. Unfortunately, you can't lower that ingredient in tobacco cigarettes without simultaneously lowering the less harmful ingredient nicotine. The reason for this is that when smoking, the nicotine gets carried into the lungs on droplets of tar. If you eliminated all the tar somehow (which isn't plausible with a system that depends on combustion) the nicotine would not be able to get to the lungs.

And actually, there are many more than two harmful compnents in smoke, but nicotine isn't one of them. Already mentioned the tar. Then there is carbon monoxide. Particles of tobacco and paper ash. Heavy metals. Hundreds of carcinogens. Thousands of toxins

As far as harmful health effects go, the truth is "It's the smoke, stupid."

I suggest reading the page "All About Nicotine" Nicotine and addiction. (tobaccoharmreduction.org)

There is also some useful (at least I like to think it is useful) informatation on my blog: The Truth About Nicotine

And then, of course, there is CASAA: Casaa.org - Harm Reduction

Your partner's comment about "when are you going to quit" is telling. The proper response to this question is, "I HAVE quit smoking. I no longer set fire to tobacco cigarettes and inhale smoke."

Those of us who smoked long enough to get some damage started in our bodies can see that the health effects of quitting smoking by using an electronic cigarette appear to be the exact same thing as the health effects of quitting all nicotine use. We have stopped wheezing, we have stopped coughing. Our blood pressure and cholesterol numbers have improved.

"It's an addiction" does not cut it as an excuse to berate other people. If this is an addiction (which is debatable) it is one that is very different from other addictions. Nicotine is not intoxicating; it increases altertness. Nicotine does not trigger irrational behavior such as outbursts of anger; it has a calming effect. Nicotine does not have a negative impact on mood; it helps to keep symptoms of depression under control.

Both you and your partner need to understand that it is the continued use of nicotine (from a much less-harmful source) that allows you to REMAIN smoke-free.

You have switched to a method that some health experts estimate is 99% safer for your health than smoking. You no longer endanger the health of bystanders. You have done a good thing. Believe it.

 

[jelder227]

I think it is interesting that so many people think that nicotine is the bad stuff in cigarettes, when actually nicotine is no worse for you than caffeine. Does anyone ever assault caffeine users by asking them when their going to quit their addiction?

LOL - yes, I did get assaulted over my caffeine addiction by my mother in law. I'm 40-ish, with a young child, and she asked me if my husband and I had a will yet. Then informed me that as I was overweight (15 pounds), drank incredible amounts of caffeine (4-6 cans of diet Coke per day), and smoked (too much) I better have one, as I wouldn't live long. Oh well.

My husband thinks she'll be pleased by the switch to vaping. Anyone want to place money on it? But I don't care - I'll feel better, and be healthier. So her ignorance is her issue.

I've lost the weight, quit the Diet Coke. I'm switching to vaping. Enough with the healthy lifestyle stuff!