On May 5th 2016, which all vapers should now refer as Black Thursday, the FDA dropped thier new official regulations on the e-cigarette industry and associated products.
If you're a vaper in California or own a vaping business in California it was a double whammy as our esteemed Governor signed into law SBX2-5 which for all intents will decimate the vaping industry in California.
Understandably we as a community are upset to put it mildly, however we must remain calm. Now is the time to truly come together as a community, to put aside our petty differences and stop attacking one another and remember that we are all vapers.
It is very important that we educate the public and our elected officials on what vaping is. Public perception of vaping is the most important part of this, here are some examples of how we can change people's perceptions:
1.Follow the rules/laws.
example: Though we are not cigarette smokers we must adhere to the laws that pertaining to smoking no matter what.
2. Be courteous.
example: If your are in outdoor area where smoking is allowed be mindful of those around you, especially children,do not exhale huge clouds of vapor in a crowded space there is a time and place for "cloud comps".
3.Educate.
example: If you are approached by someone inquiring about what you're doing or what vaping is, take the time to give a simple explanation and address their concerns or questions honestly and with as much information as you feel comfortable to speak on.
4.Support.
example: Support your local vape shops, and local and national advocacy groups such as:
notblowingsmoke.org
nomorecasualties.org
cassa.org
sfata.org
vaping.info (American Vaping Association)
5.Do not spread rumors or false information:
There are plenty of places available to check facts, so please before you retweet or repeat on whatever social media forum you choose to follow check the facts. The best places for this are listed above(#4)
I'm not trying to be all preachy here, these are just my opinions based on things I've heard, seen and experienced first hand as well as things I feel that will help change the misconception of what vapers are.
I also believe that if we are truly trying to remove ourselves from be lumped in with tobacco users and products we truly should refrain from using any form of the word cigarette. i.e. e-cigarette and retrain ourselves to call it vaping and vaping products period.
We consider ourselves a big family and like a family there will be disagreements and arguments as there are in all families but when someone attacks or threatens your family, like any family we should put aside our differences, band together and fight to protect what threatens this thing that we all love so much.
If you have any legitimate questions please fell free to email me @ ocvapeman@gmail.com or @ ocvapeman on twitter, instagram or facebook. I may not know the answer but I can and will direct you to a source that will.
Keep calm and vape on.
Ocvapeman
If you're a vaper in California or own a vaping business in California it was a double whammy as our esteemed Governor signed into law SBX2-5 which for all intents will decimate the vaping industry in California.
Understandably we as a community are upset to put it mildly, however we must remain calm. Now is the time to truly come together as a community, to put aside our petty differences and stop attacking one another and remember that we are all vapers.
It is very important that we educate the public and our elected officials on what vaping is. Public perception of vaping is the most important part of this, here are some examples of how we can change people's perceptions:
1.Follow the rules/laws.
example: Though we are not cigarette smokers we must adhere to the laws that pertaining to smoking no matter what.
2. Be courteous.
example: If your are in outdoor area where smoking is allowed be mindful of those around you, especially children,do not exhale huge clouds of vapor in a crowded space there is a time and place for "cloud comps".
3.Educate.
example: If you are approached by someone inquiring about what you're doing or what vaping is, take the time to give a simple explanation and address their concerns or questions honestly and with as much information as you feel comfortable to speak on.
4.Support.
example: Support your local vape shops, and local and national advocacy groups such as:
notblowingsmoke.org
nomorecasualties.org
cassa.org
sfata.org
vaping.info (American Vaping Association)
5.Do not spread rumors or false information:
There are plenty of places available to check facts, so please before you retweet or repeat on whatever social media forum you choose to follow check the facts. The best places for this are listed above(#4)
I'm not trying to be all preachy here, these are just my opinions based on things I've heard, seen and experienced first hand as well as things I feel that will help change the misconception of what vapers are.
I also believe that if we are truly trying to remove ourselves from be lumped in with tobacco users and products we truly should refrain from using any form of the word cigarette. i.e. e-cigarette and retrain ourselves to call it vaping and vaping products period.
We consider ourselves a big family and like a family there will be disagreements and arguments as there are in all families but when someone attacks or threatens your family, like any family we should put aside our differences, band together and fight to protect what threatens this thing that we all love so much.
If you have any legitimate questions please fell free to email me @ ocvapeman@gmail.com or @ ocvapeman on twitter, instagram or facebook. I may not know the answer but I can and will direct you to a source that will.
Keep calm and vape on.
Ocvapeman
