I just don't get it

[CookieMonster225]

I'll try to keep this short, but I have to vent. I have started going outside at work with a buddy on our lunch break while he smokes. I get dumb looks from some of the smokers, but I can deal with it. Anyway, today I suggested my buddy start vaping and then this woman chimes in with something like "I would never use those". Huh? She said there are thousands of chemicals in those things. Wow lady. So I gave her a quick rundown on the FOUR chemicals in my juice and she looked dumbfounded. Then she, of course, gave me the whole "Yea but they haven't done research on it so it will probably give you cancer". First off, wrong; secondly, would you rather smoke cigarettes and be almost sure to get cancer or some other disease? I didn't lose my temper though and I just responded with facts about how I no longer get sick easily, breathe better, ect. Anyways, she looked as if she started to see the light but I didn't push on the subject. People are just so uneducated and quick to say something new to them is dangerous, it really amazes me.

What do you guys think are the best responses to smokers' arguments against ecigs?

 

[NC_Fog]

I always ask folks like that for a copy of the list of chemicals. Shuts them up every time. I have yet to receive a list...lol.

 

[Towmotor]

Best response to a smoker...What kind of flowers should I bring to your funeral

 

[Amraann]

I always laugh a little when I read what smokers say about e-cigs!

I think in large part it is easier for them to believe the propaganda so they can justify their continued smoking.
Come on you have to find it hysterical that she was standing there smoking a cig and telling you about the THOUSANDS of chemicals that your inhaling! HAHAH!

To answer your question~ I think calmly saying the 4 things in your e-liquid is the way to go. Explaining that PG is used in inhalers etc.
Then explaining that the thousands of chemicals are actually in real cigs and that nicotine is like the least harmful of them.
Also explain the good aspects of nicotine as shown by some studies and of course give them the link for ECF and CASSA so they can research themselves.

 

[Zildjian]

Can't help someone that is stuck on stupid.

 

[CookieMonster225]

Come on you have to find it hysterical that she was standing there smoking a cig and telling you about the THOUSANDS of chemicals that your inhaling! HAHAH!

Yes, I did laugh a bit when she said that, but I tried to keep a straight face. It just amazes me that people will say "oh what if it does this or that to you" and continue smoking as if they don't know that it astronomically increases your chances of getting sick. Some people

 

[JayQC]

Just so you know, flavorings are made of hundreds of chemicals, and not all of them seem to be safe for inhaling. There's an ongoing debate about diacteyl among others.

So telling people that there are only four chemicals in e-liquid is not exactly truthful.

 

[wrath186]

I think your response was perfect. It answered her arguments and left her alternative.

 

[5150Marley]

I always get the "is HOOCH in there" question from cigarette smokers... I smile and tell them no its what helped me quit smoking.

Its e juice that comes in different flavors... then they get curious and ask "like what?"

The I go into the different types of flavors and usually a significant other (if nearby) will chime in "YOU SHOULD TRY THAT.. you need to QUIT SMOKING" or they like the idea of flavors and are OPEN to the idea of using an e-cig.

Most of the time I try to make a positive spin on it and get into a conversation of the benefits of e-cigs... Inform then vs confront them

 

[Nightshard]

Just as jayqc said, flavorings are the big issue here, especially the coloring and sweeteners in them, some of those are assumed safe as food additives, but where never tested as safe for vaping purposes.
Don't get me wrong i'm a fan of vaping, i do think that i'm getting the better deal here compared to smoking, but saying vaping has only 4 ingredients and that it's safe for sure is just not true.

 

[Deeo]

You should have told you to mind her own business and that you were not talking to her. I have no patience for people like that and I always respond by saying I feel better and I love vaping. End of story. I only educate those that are interested. It really gets to me when someone who smokes talks about the dangers of vaping to each their own , I don't down people who smoke and I don't want to be downed for my choice either.

Wow lol I think I have some attitude today lol

 

[Ragman]

When I get that type of comment from a smoker it is usally an older smoker and I ask them if they ever used a vapor machine in their room when they had a cold? My parents had one and used it for me. To me its very very similar and it made me breathe better.

This makes them think.

Either that or I challenge them to a race or a game of one-on-one. We will see who is breathing heavy afterwards.

 

[CookieMonster225]

She also made the remark that she didn't want any other flavors. That she like the taste of cigarettes. I find that to be a common misconception. I also thought I liked the taste, then I had a puff of a cig the other day and gagged because it tasted so bad. You only think you like it.

 

[TheColdHandedVG]

I'll try to keep this short, but I have to vent. I have started going outside at work with a buddy on our lunch break while he smokes. I get dumb looks from some of the smokers, but I can deal with it. Anyway, today I suggested my buddy start vaping and then this woman chimes in with something like "I would never use those". Huh? She said there are thousands of chemicals in those things. Wow lady. So I gave her a quick rundown on the FOUR chemicals in my juice and she looked dumbfounded. Then she, of course, gave me the whole "Yea but they haven't done research on it so it will probably give you cancer". First off, wrong; secondly, would you rather smoke cigarettes and be almost sure to get cancer or some other disease? I didn't lose my temper though and I just responded with facts about how I no longer get sick easily, breathe better, ect. Anyways, she looked as if she started to see the light but I didn't push on the subject. People are just so uneducated and quick to say something new to them is dangerous, it really amazes me.

What do you guys think are the best responses to smokers' arguments against ecigs?

There isn't really a good response to a SMOKER's argument, it is completely different and has completely different reasoning behind it compared to your average uneducated person. The issue is that a smoker that says things like this WANTS to believe it, no matter what you tell them. They are trying to justify their smoking, or for someone who has recently quit, they are trying to justify the idea of vaping being 'to good to be true'.

If this was regarding an average persons feelings towards vaping, I would share what little experience I have had in such situations that helped change their reasoning. But I have come to find that a brain-washed smoker is the absolute hardest person to provide clarification on vaping. I hate to say it is a waste of time trying, but in my experience, it has been. Hopefully that changes sometime in the future....

 

[Lurch]

She also made the remark that she didn't want any other flavors. That she like the taste of cigarettes. I find that to be a common misconception. I also thought I liked the taste, then I had a puff of a cig the other day and gagged because it tasted so bad. You only think you like it.

Read a comment in the a blog the other day that stuck with me, "If you could have your nicotine in any flavor, why would you pick the flavor of burning plant material?"

I have had people ask me questions about vaping, but have not yet had someone, while smoking a cigarette, make comments about it being bad for me. I am not sure I would be able to maintain a straight face while responding....

 

[JoppaRoadCruiser]

I find that smokers are the most hostile to the idea of vaping. Not sure why that is though. I will give them this....at least they know that smoking can/probably will kill them. With e cigs the verdict is still out on the long term consequences.

 

[Dayglow]

Well this is what happens when you get all your information from Fox (or most media outlets for that matter). All we can do is hope to re-educate those that are willing to listen and perhaps even learn. Far too many people in this country are set on ideals and refuse to see other positions, possibly out of fear for having to change what they think they believe in.

 

[CookieMonster225]

Well this is what happens when you get all your information from Fox (or most media outlets for that matter). All we can do is hope to re-educate those that are willing to listen and perhaps even learn. Far too many people in this country are set on ideals and refuse to see other positions, possibly out of fear for having to change what they think they believe in.

Not defending Fox, I'm against all these mainstream media outlets, but there is a guy on there that vapes and strongly defends vaping. But I digress, most of you are right, it doesn't matter what I say because they will believe what they want to believe. The biggest the is that people won't quit if they don't want to. That's basically the bottom line. That's why I usually only discuss vaping with people who seem interested.

 

[JoppaRoadCruiser]

Not defending Fox, I'm against all these mainstream media outlets, but there is a guy on there that vapes and strongly defends vaping. But I digress, most of you are right, it doesn't matter what I say because they will believe what they want to believe. The biggest the is that people won't quit if they don't want to. That's basically the bottom line. That's why I usually only discuss vaping with people who seem interested.

Greg Gutfeld. He's an ex-smoker and big time vape supporter now. Hosts Red Eye at 2 am.

 

[JoppaRoadCruiser]

Another thing I want to add to this in regards to people being open/close minded to vaping...it seems to me the people that are the most receptive to vaping are what I would call casual/recreational smokers. For instance people who smoke when they drink. I was at my sisters wedding last month and I can't tell you how many different people came up to me asking to explain the idea of vaporizing. All of these were people who like to smoke when they drink. And many drink quite a bit. They were pretty thrilled about being able to get their nic fix without waking up feeling so bad about the fact that they smoked a bunch of cigs the night before.