Family support switching to e cigarettes

[Sane Asylum]

Hi Everyone,

Eight days, 13 hours off analogs. A major accomplishment after smoking over a PAD for over 35 years. I still crave analogs but vaping has gotten me through. I really feel, for the first time, that I can do this.

My problem is that most of my family (all non smokers and never have) don't get what an accomplishment this is for me. Yeah, I've explained to them all about the benefits of vaping over smoking cigs but they kind of see it as me substituting one thing for another. And because now I can vape in in the house and car (I only smoked cigs in the garage or outside by choice), they see me as taking a step backward.

My one ray of sunshine is my daughter, the chemistry major, who gets it and has been really supportive. Unfortunately, she's away at college and only comes home some weekends.

I'm really kind of frustrated and wondered if anyone else has had to deal with this and how they handled it. BTW, love this place. I've learned so much.

 

[Susan W.]

Welcome and congrats!! Just taking the step into vaping is a major accomplishment. I really don't have any advice as far as what to do about the family but there are others here that have had the same problem. You can refer them to articles here. I'm sure others will have links to them. And some people just aren't going to get it so just keep on vaping. You know what a big step this is and that's what counts the most.

 

[UntamedRose]

Congrats Sane! You have done really well! Those first few days is huge!

I'm not sure what to say about the family my..nay sayers where hundred of miles away. After 3 years they have hushed up. BUT there are plenty of folks here that know the power of ecigs here. They can help

 

[abasm]

Hey Sane Asylum welcome to the community.
Eight days off cigs is great congratulations.
Sorry your family doesn't get it now but give them time. As your health starts to noticably improve they may very well start to see how this is very much a step forward not back.
It is great you have your daughter in your cheering section as that kind of support really does help make things better. Just a suggestion but could your daughter record a message or cheer for you to listen to for when the frustration starts to get to you. One voice cheering you on can make all the naysayers unimportant.
Good luck.

 

[TruckDrivinMama]

Hi Sane,
Welcome to ECF. I had the same response from my husbands side of the family when I switched. They are old fashioned, never smoked, dont know anything about e cigs as see it as the same thing as an analog.

My hubbys family never accepted it and boo'd about the nicotine in how its so 'bad' for you no matter how many times i explained. But what important is that you know YOU are changing your lifestyle for the better! Congrats and dont look back!

 

[Lombaowski]

At Thanksgiving this year make them a tofu turkey, then let the irony soak in like gravy.

 

[NiNi]

Congratulations!

Awww, the fam, what can I say? Some will be thrilled, some will think you're just pulling a fast one on them. Knowledge is power and if they don't want to listen to you or read up on vaping from reliable sources, It is what It is. Bottom line, you are ultimately doing this for yourself. Don't let ANYONE discourage you! You have an ally in your daughter and many here at ECF.

This is your journey and you have made incredible progress, just keep plenty of water in you, switch your ejuices from time to time, hit the higher nic mg when it gets stressful, and go with the flow. You may still have a few days coming up that may be rough for you, not from the addiction to nic, but from all the nasty chemicals that are going to be leaving your body and the general analog rituals you've created in the last 35 years. You may light up, no biggie, it happens, just don't beat yourself up. When things get rough, cravings or family members, log in, post, chill out and collect yourself.

Bottom line, you're doing it! Hang in there, it only gets easier! And Welcome to ECF!

 

[KnurledNut]

I have some family members that think the same way.

To be polite I go outside when I'm at their home. But, when they're in MY castle it's my rules. If they cannot grasp the concept of simple science then they don't need to come back for a visit. A bit hard core I know, but that's the rules. I smoked 2 PPD for 37 years and I'm damned proud of my accomplishment.

 

[Sane Asylum]

Wow guys. You have no idea how much your words of encouragement and congrats mean to me.

This cigarette addiction has controlled my life in so many ways and I've hated it. For the first time, I feel like I'm getting to be in control. Does that make sense?

I love the suggestion of having my daughter giving me words of encouragement. When I spoke to her last week and told her I was off cigarettes and vaping, she said, "You have no idea how happy that makes me." I think I'll text her tomorrow and tell her I need some encouragement texts that I can look at no matter where I am.

Thanks so much!

 

[Lombaowski]

I love the suggestion of having my daughter giving me words of encouragement. When I spoke to her last week and told her I was off cigarettes and vaping, she said, "You have no idea how happy that makes me." I think I'll text her tomorrow and tell her I need some encouragement texts that I can look at no matter where I am.

This is all you really need.

 

[nmackan]

My wife had begun with me. But her aunt (She knows everything under the sky. She isnt educated but she has an idea for everything) told her "Leave it, it is more dangerous than smoking. All media announce that way" What do you expect? She left vaping went back smoking. Now 7 months later all benefits, seen and felt developments of health on me, no she is still smoking. If someone is hard headed than let it be. It is your health and you dont have to persuade anyone about it. Just go on you are in the right place and right way

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Tell me about it.

Well, at least now you know, proof positive, they are not know it alls. I have the same problem with my family and many friends. They look all happy when you tell them you quit smoking but when you say you are using an ecig you could swear what they heard was you are using illegal intravenous drugs. I’m glad you are going to ask your daughter for encouragement and do remember there are literally thousands of us here to give you support as well. Congratulations on quitting the stinkies!

 

[dailywalker]

My one ray of sunshine is my daughter.

Dont worry about all the negative people. You should be proud of yourself! Congratulations!

Out of all the people in my life personally it makes me so happy that my son says he is proud of me!

 

[Mowgli]

Harm reduction.

You traded something completely insane and deadly for something about as harmful as coffee.

You're not smoking. bottom line.

Learn about vaping and help them understand that smoking is the killer.

You quit smoking. Awesome. Congratulations!

 

[IMZed]

Welcome, Sane Asylum. I was an only-smoker in my extended family, too. Keep in touch with your daughter - text (?) but not driving! Having even "just" one other person to know what you are going through can help. And if you need help in the meantime, come here!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. You'll make it.

 

[Sane Asylum]

Thanks again to everyone for your kind words and encouragement. I did text my daughter (not while I was driving. I'm not that good at it anyway to even think about doing that ) and she made me a proud mom with her encouraging response.

Made it through another day without an analog and ordered more 'stuff' for my new hobby...extra battery and other hardware. Got my Halo tobacco sampler today and tried them all. I'm not sure if I like them or not. I think I'm on a newbie buying spree. I need to clear a shelf out to store everything.....

 

[Chas F.]

Nevermind the naysayers. They don't understand what a huge battle it is to quit smoking and may never know. But you do, your daughter does and we do. Remember...

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

My Dr, Dentist, Surgeon and Wife all support my vaping...it's a nice touch but even if their support wasn't there it really wouldn't have mattered with my journey.
With your predicament I'd suggest coming here to garner support and positive feedback as we all know how important this is.
Best of Luck and keep coming back

 

[MikenGA]

Hiya SA,

I smoked for 32+ years. YOU smoked for 35(+?) years. To the person who has never smoked, vaping LOOKS the same. But to you and me (and 99.9999999% of ECF vapers), we know as well as any professional that VAPING is NOT the same as SMOKING!

I started vaping for ME, and you started vaping for YOU. There probably will be some difficult times ahead over the next few months, but YOU CAN DO THIS. If I could make the switch, I believe ANYBODY can make the switch.

I do believe the family is right, that we're simply substituting one thing for another. (I now drink coffee, but I used to drink Coke.) But they have no way of knowing how much better it is to vape...until we demonstrate healthier lives, good breath, nice smells...and a bunch of other good stuff I can't think of right now.

You're doin' good! I'm proud of ya!

CONGRATZ!!!

 

[KjAthena]

Sane Asylum, Congrats on quitting smoking, don't let anyone rain on your parade...many people have been less than kind because I am using a PV as my way of quitting, parroting what they have heard from the news media. The funny thing is that the worst are those who quit smoking, Dont let anyone send you back to smoking. This is your QUIT...you will find plenty of support here and you have a wonderful daughter who supports and loves you.....VAPE ON