Not only do I not feel bad as a dual user, I feel pride and at peace.
Today I bought a pack of smokes. My 6th pack of 2014. Moderate smoking rocks. I wish it for many current smokers, as it rocks that much. If current smoker wishes to cease smoking, I respect that and honor that decision. But being made to feel like you have to quit or something is dreadfully wrong is microcosm of what we are up against. The shaming, guilting and control of adult choices to take the risk and enjoy the freedom, is so far overboard, it fills me with pride to not detach completely (and righteously) from those evil doers, er I mean, smokers.
Growing up, with both parents being smokers, and in a world where smoking indoors was still permissible, and second hand smoke wasn't treated as leading to possible extinction of humanity, I had ZERO exposure to moderate smokers/smoking. It was all hard core users, people who were okay with abusing. IOW, the norm. Over the next 20 years or so, I saw a small handful of people who somehow, magically, were able to smoke periodically, while vast majority were abusive with their smoking habits, myself include. When that amount of abuse is allowed to exist and be deemed the norm, it is little wonder that we live in a world where 'smoking kills' is propped up as inherent problem with smoking. At same time, when I quit cold turkey and then returned to smoking, I wasn't in the dark, nor did I choose to ignore the pros that exist with a habit/full addiction to smoking. And it disgusts me that this is so far downplayed to the point where it is challenging or socially gauche, even today, to talk in that vein. "How dare you speak aloud of smoking as if there are merits to that dirty disgusting habit." IMO, as long as those pros are downplayed, there will be a societal problem with smoking and impact on public health due to this deception that is nearly as bad, though going in opposite direction, as what BT tried to do with (or to) the public.
Kids or young new smokers get to discover the pros on their own, while wading through the deception and finding a balance between the over hyped cons and suitable usage that does, in fact, work for them. Varies by individual, while the hook or addiction remains generally the same. The shaming and constant public pressure to quit remains about the exact same.
Enter vaping.
Where reduction is so easily obtained, and moderation so easy to abide by, that it undoes at least some of the cons, and sucks the wind out of the sails of shaming. It allows for many, though not all, of the same benefits that an ex-smoker enjoys. The better health. The increase in finances. The erasure of constant cravings. The peace of mind that comes from liberation of being hooked/addicted to smoking.
And yet the shaming persists. Especially from ex-smokers. For almost no reason other than, "I quit, so should you." So so glad I wasn't like this when I went cold turkey.
I take pride in still smoking a) because moderation really does rock and b) because I'd really rather not detach from camp smoker in such a callous or shallow way. I'd really rather not become the zealot that I loathed as an abusive smoker and that I disdained when I went cold turkey, and which now seems like it is so socially accepted that I pity those stuck in that way of thinking.
In my honest and reasoned opinion, the incessant call for smoking cessation as the only (good) path is spoiling the cause for vaping. It takes away from harm reduction and feeds the mentality that thinks prohibition has a place. While seemingly ignoring the idea that they will (or we will) one day seek the same from vapers. "Why don't you quit already?" "Do you not have any self control?" What's wrong with you that makes your feel your habit is not imposing on others?" The constant attempt to suck the wind out of the pros of vaping. The enjoyment. The liberation.
Dual users are no more in a transitional phase than the rest of society is with regards to vaping vs. smoking. Yet, dual users realize that vaping is an alternative. A wise alternative. A helpful alternative. And an enjoyable alternative.
How can you see it as an alternative when you've sworn off smoking and express contempt or shame for what the other alternative is, namely smoking? Cessation for some (vapers) often appears as an abandonment rather than alternative. And politically, it shows up as similar in message to precisely what ANTZ is aiming for, yet failing at for around year 57 now. You have to want to stay quit for cessation to truly work, yet when you want others to stay quit for cessation to be realized, it crosses a dangerous ethical and political line that looks a lot like propaganda and control.
Vaping, as a communal enterprise doesn't need this. Quit because your personal choice desires as much. Rejoice at your new found liberation. Share your story so others may follow in your footsteps as may be their desire. But advocate for cessation to those who haven't indicated that desire, and let me/us know how you rationalize away the fact that you appear to stand side by side with opposition?
Do I think you are ANTZ if you advocate cessation from smoking via vaping? Not really, though the sentiment can appear that way. Many vapers, who have quit smoking, do express honor and kinship with those who engage in reduction and thus appear to get harm reduction without needing to make it about abandonment.
Anyway, that's the short version of my counter rant that seems relevant to this thread.
