I want to interview you!

[kristin]

I need someone to answer this question:

Do you consider yourself an ex-smoker or non-smoker? Why?

Please include your name and state for the quote.

 

[kristin]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the article so far! But I guess I need to be a little more clear about the answers I'm seeking.

For excample, for this question:
How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?

I'm getting answers like this:
"They're awesome but took some getting used to. Took a while to find something with good vapor and throat hit."

I really can't use that in an article format - non-smokers won't get it and neither will most non-vapers. What I'm looking for is something more inspirational and revealing from you all. Here is more of the type of response I am seeking and how I could use it in the article:

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?

'It's life changing and is very different from regular cigarettes for me. I don't have to go outside every 20 minutes to smoke. I don't smell like an ashtray. There is no second hand smoke to bother people. I can breathe more freely again and even started exercising."

Here is how I could use that type of answer in the article:

There have been a few recent articles that put electronic cigarettes as no different than tobacco cigarettes.

"(A personal vaporizer) is very different from regular cigarettes for me," says John Smith of Milwaukee. "I don't have to go outside every 20 minutes to smoke. I don't smell like an ashtray.There is no second hand smoke to bother people. I can breathe more freely again and even started exercising."

I hope this helps clarify things! Anyone who already submitted is welcome to redo their answers to better fit this format.

Again, I really appreciate everyone's efforts so far - I just should have been more clear!

 

[C6Silver]

Kristin,

I tried to PM you, however, my response below was too long. Rather than cut it down I will paste it here. I don't really want to put my name/city in this thread, so I will PM you that.

Thanks.
------------

What made you want to try e-cigs?

I have enjoyed the occasional cigar or even pipe, but have found them largely impractical. Only enjoying them on particular occasions meant I was not concerned for health reasons, but the smell and restrictions on where you can smoke them made it mostly impractical to enjoy. Vaping has removed these barriers and even appears to have no negative health consequences. This has allowed me to enjoy an e-cigar or e-pipe without the restrictions or concerns.

Did you want to stop smoking?

I am a non-smoker.

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs?

Very impressed with how much the process was like a real pipe or cigar without any of the negatives. I found it relaxing and enjoyed the fact that there was no smell and that it was safe.

Do you still use tobacco products?

No for reasons stated above; however, I would enjoy a real cigar again if the situation presented itself. Not really an issue for me either way.

What level of nicotine do you use?

None.

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs?

Enjoyment of the process and the taste. I make my own e-juice so I can create flavors that make vaping sort of like a desert.

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero?

N/A.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs?

It really hasn’t. It is something I enjoy, but is not life changing for me.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?

I will compare to cigars/pipes as I have no experience with cigarettes. The biggest difference is the smell and aftertaste. With the tobacco products I had to enjoy them outside and was guaranteed that whatever I was wearing was going to smell terribly at the end. I also knew I would wake up the next day with a terrible taste in my mouth. Sometimes, perhaps due to the strength of the tobacco, it might make me a little ill. All of these issues are totally eliminated with the vaping devices.

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions?

I have not vaped in public.

What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking?

Not really an issue since I am not a smoker.

What do your children say about e-cigs vs. smoking?

I take great care to explain the differences between vaping and smoking to them. They are still quite young, but they themselves have had to use a nebulizer or a vaporizer at times when they have had a bad cold. I explain that this device is similar to that and that actual smoking is very dangerous and bad for them.

Does your teenager want to try e-cigs?

N/A

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement?

Disappointment. The announcement was rushed and omitted critical details. What should have been a scientific process and conclusion felt more political and reactionary. While I applaud their recognition of vaping and the need for testing, I also have to admonish their lack of care and due process.

How do you feel about the FDA announcement?

See above.

What would you say to the FDA if you could?

To follow the scientific method and come to a conclusion based on that rather than knee jerk reactions or politics. The FDA serves a critical role and I want them to take a very hard look at vaping. However, they must follow the scientific method to the letter if they are to fulfill their purpose. Given the potential significance of this to real tobacco users, and their fair and accurate treatment of this is literally life and death for millions.

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas?

I am okay with this for now. Until science can prove safety we shouldn’t put non-vapers at risk if even perceived.

What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside?

I vape at home so this isn’t an issue for me.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether?

N/A.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking?

N/A.

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking?

That they are wrong and don’t understand what vaping actually is. Because vaping looks like smoking people immediately associate the two and come to a bad conclusion. They need to be educated to understand the fundamental differences.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you?

I carefully explain what vaping is and particularly what the e-juice is. Again people associate vaping with smoking because they look so much a like. People need to understand the difference.

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you?

That they are right. Nicotine is an addictive substance. People often associate it with cancer which is incorrect and I set the record straight there. However, nicotine isn’t good for you regardless and if people can eventually stop using it, so much the better.

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes?

I usually go back to what it looks like. I explain that if I am wearing a mask (such as you would have with a nebulizer) or if it were coming from a vaporizer that they wouldn’t blink. The fact that it comes from something that looks like a traditional smoking device is where people get such negative connotations.

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why?

Without a doubt it is much less dangerous. I am not a scientist; however, one can easily look up the very few chemicals used in e-liquids versus actual tobacco products. The e-liquid I make, which is based on VG, metabolizes in the body as glucose. That is a VERY far cry from what actual tobacco products put into the body.

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking?

N/A.

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)

N/A.

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking?

I am not sure I completely understand the logic. I don’t know what would make someone want to use the real thing if they started with vaping. What would the real thing have to offer them? Also, the cost of the real thing is very high. There has to be a big benefit to switching to the real thing for kids, or anyone, to go from vaping to smoking. I don’t see that benefit.

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you?

I have friends and family whom have started to vape, but none were smokers to begin with. Some had smoked pipes 20 years in the past, but nothing since.

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping?

If it is either determined to be dangerous based on rigorous scientific evidence or if I get tired of it. Otherwise I don’t see a reason to quit.

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name?

No. Public opinion would be better if they understood what it was and weren’t getting half truths and rushed judgments from those in position of authority. Whatever one calls it, the process is going to look exactly like smoking. This fact trumps any name changes. Education is the key.

 

[Darkest]

Kristin, You are leading the witnesses

Sorry, just kidding. Actually I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work

 

[AetherWolf]

What is your full name?
Tyler Eynon

What city do you live in?
Dayton, Ohio (moving sunday to Dover, Ohio)

What made you want to try e-cigs?
A friend sent me a link and i thought i'd give it a try. Couldnt be any worse than marlboro reds.

Did you want to stop smoking?
Yes. I have for a long time.

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs?
Loved it. The taste, the feel, everything about it.

Do you still use tobacco products?
No, I quit the day after i received it.

What level of nicotine do you use?
18mg, sometimes 24 depending on my cravings.

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs?

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero?
Yes.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs?
I smell better, my clothes dont have holes in them, im not staining my teeth, im not bothering my cat or my girlfriend.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?
WAY better flavor and less chemical taste. And of course i feel they are safer.

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions?

I haven't done a whole lot in public but most times it's positive. Most of the time i get asked where i got it.

What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking?
She is goign to get one for her birthday(from me).

What do your children say about e-cigs vs. smoking?

Does your teenager want to try e-cigs?

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement?
Infuriated. Bad pr.

How do you feel about the FDA announcement?
Angry.

What would you say to the FDA if you could?
Why? Why do this to a product that has helped so many people become healthier?

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas?
im ok with it. I try not to use my vaporizor in a non-smokign place out of respect.

What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside?
I would vape liek normal.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether?
Probably yes. I hate to think about it.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking?
Possibly.

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking?
I understand that what they think are the facts are not. But i respect thier opinion and move elsewhere to vape.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you?
I ask them how. Then compare facts.

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you?
I would agree with them. But im addicted to it and am trying to lower the amount i take in, until i can completely drop it.

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes?
It's a mini fog machine that has nicotine in it.

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why?
Yes. I FEEL better.

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking?

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking?
Thats just bull****. if you tried one of these, then tried a regular cig, you would vomit. Thats just straight out nonsense.

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you?
Not yet, going to let them try it first.

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping?
Not sure at this point, i enjoy it.

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name?
Possibly, but a little late for that.

 

[Trashman]

Do you consider yourself an ex-smoker or non-smoker? Why?

I'm both. An ex-smoker simply because I don't smoke anymore. And a non-smoker for the very same reason. E-cigs are cigarettes in name only. After all, they don't name it cigarette-patches and cigarette-gum.

jp

 

[kristin]

OK, here is what I have so far. I would like to continue with some good quotes about where the arguments of cigarettes vs. e-cigs is flawed, how different they are, contents, the falsehoods in the FDA study, etc.

Also, any comments on how they (media, governments, etc) keep comparing how similar e-cigs are to analogs but not how DIFFERENT they are?

I also would like to hear from some good quotes from LONG TERM vapers who have not returned to analogs!

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND NOT THE FINAL DRAFT!! AND IF YOU HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR CRITIQUE UNTIL YOU DO!

Negative Reactions Mystify Electronic Cigarette Users
By Kristin Noll-Marsh

The booth at the state fair expo was black, with big, gold lettering exclaiming, "Electronic Cigarrettes - the smoking alternative!" As any tobacco any smoker would, I expected to laugh at the silly concept and high price, but after dragging my husband over, it only took a minute for us both to realize that this was a revolutionary invention that we were seeing. And the price was right, as well!

The seller made it clear that it was not a device intended to STOP smoking - only a much safer and cheaper alternative. Sort of like Diet Mountain Dew compared to regular Mountain Dew - neither could be classified as "healthy," but at least the diet version doesn't contribute to tooth decay or obesity and you still get your caffine fix.

There is no scientific proof that electronic cigarettes are safer, but it didn't take a degree in rocket science to see that the absence of smoke, tar and a few thousand other ingredients - including the 60-70 known carcinogens and poisons found in tobacco - made the flavored nicotine liquid seem tame by comparison. And the ability to reduce the nicotine levels from high, medium and low to liquid containing no nicotine at all was an appealing way to wean off nicotine altogether.

Of course, as soon as I got our new devices home, I had to log online and see what I could find out about them.

The first thing I found was a whole range of different devices and liquids available and not all devices are created equal. I also found that a whole subculture has quickly built up around the new phenomonium of "vaping," the term coined by electronic cigarette users instead of "smoking." The electronic cigarette is also known as a "personal vaporizer", as it produces a fine vapor instead of smoke. Tobacco cigarettes are jokingly called "analogs." "Vapers" often consider themselves "smoke-free" or "non-smokers" because they have broken away from actual "smoking" and most of the negative aspects of tobacco cigarettes.

"I feel free of cigarettes for the first time in my life," says James S., of Hudson, WI. James says his life has changed in so many ways since he has quit smoking. "I used to go to bed at night and could smell the smoke on myself, and it wasn't good. I don't miss that. I just feel better in every way imaginable. I breathe better, don't have that nasty congestion in the morning. My throat feels better. My sense of smell, thus taste is much better." James adds that his wife is happy that he has quit smoking, as well.

The perception of personal vaper users that they are no longer smoking is one that is difficult for non-smokers and smoke-free advocates to understand. Many against cigarette smoking have welcomed recent news of the FDA ban on certain electronic cigarette brands, due to safety concerns, and proposed bans on their use in public spaces in municipalities in New York and Oregon. Vaporizer users fear the public has been falsly lead to believe that personal vaporizers aren't any different than tobacco cigarettes.

"Because vaping looks like smoking people immediately associate the two and come to a bad conclusion," says Scott B, of Santa Clarita, CA. Scott says he was not a cigarette smoker and only occasionally enjoyed pipes or cigars. "They need to be educated to understand the fundamental differences."

On the FDA report, he says, "The announcement was rushed and omitted critical details. What should have been a scientific process and conclusion felt more political and reactionary. While I applaud their recognition of vaping and the need for testing, I also have to admonish their lack of care and due process. The FDA serves a critical role and I want them to take a very hard look at vaping. However, they must follow the scientific method to the letter if they are to fulfill their purpose. Given the potential significance of this to real tobacco users, and their fair and accurate treatment of this is literally life and death for millions."

Scott's response is typical of many vaporizer users - one of shock and disbelief at the knee-jerk public and governmental reaction. It's hard for them to see the logic in allowing the use of tobacco cigarettes, which are proven to contain dozens of poisons and carcinogens and create second-hand smoke to the vaporizers, which were found, in the FDA's own research, to only contain trace amounts of adverse ingredients....

TO BE CONTINUED AS I GET MORE INTERVIEW QUOTES!!

OK, so now that you can see the direction that this article is taking, maybe I can get some more help here??

 

[Kent C]

Just for fun....


What city do you live in?
Toledo Ohio rural.

What made you want to try e-cigs?
To see what it was like.

Did you want to stop smoking?
No

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs?
"Interesting" but I had one of those that didn't work well. When I got one that did, I thought "This could replace cigarettes".

Do you still use tobacco products?
"No." This is an ambiguous and loaded question in that 'tobacco products' is the wording in most legislation and nicotine is a 'tobacco product'. If you want to know whether people 'still use tobacco', you should ask it in that form and since there's no actual tobacco leaf in any of the ecigs, then people who don't use tobacco could answer 'no' more correctly. Without such an explanation the negative answers could be used to show how stupid ecigarette smokers are, in that they 'don't even know they're using a tobacco product'.

What level of nicotine do you use?
8-18mg

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs?
n/a

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero?
No. Nicotine has beneficial effects.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs?
Main difference is that I spend more time on the ecigarette forum. Taste has returned. Tobacco smell no longer present for others - I didn't mind it and still don't. Enjoying the different tastes of the ejuices.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?
The tastes are varied rather than one flavor. I don't have to make my own cigarettes anymore. A learning curve for getting good inhales but that went quick. A little maintenance on the ecigs but nothing close to the MYO work.

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions?
No negative reactions. Lots of questions on what they are, how they work, how much and where to get them.

What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking?
I don't have a 'significant other' but my wife switched when I did but still smokes from 6-10 cigs a day.

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement?
Typical gov't junk science. Typical gov't 'we know what's best for you even if you don't' type of fascistic stuff.

How do you feel about the FDA announcement?
See above.

What would you say to the FDA if you could?
Nothing. I won't sanction their existence, which is unconstitutional.

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas?
Never heard of such proposals or enacted legislation - you have a link for that? Again, they'll do what they want and no one or no group can stop them.

What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside?
BS question.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether?
If the penalties were so great and enforced, yes. I'm not going to jail for ecigs when there's an alternative. If they banned both, I'd be a criminal.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking?
Not for about 2 years because of supplies and perhaps after that if a black market would develop which is about as sure as the sun rising tomorrow.

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking?
I don't care what people say. But vaping and smoking are very similar.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you?
No one has said that, but if they did, I'd just say 'thanks for telling me that' and move on.

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you?
That they're wrong and if they want a source I'll provide what I have seen. The only ones that have said that to me btw are some on this forum.

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes?
They don't care and I don't waste my time on people that don't care.

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why?
Yes. No Tar and CO (not CO2 surfmonkey ;-).

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking?
He wanted me to consider quitting smoking. I told him I quit seeing him before I'd quit smoking. I also told him that there will come a time where he'll be forced not to treat me and he said no one could stop him from treating me. I said gov't can stop you. He didn't believe me, but he will some day. He doesn't know about me vaping. I might just not tell him and wait for that day when he informs me that if I don't quit smoking that the gov't or the hmo will no longer pay for my treatment. Then I'll ask him if he remembers the day when he said no one could force him not to treat me because I smoked.

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking?
It wouldn't be a 'gateway'. They'd likely just stay at the gate. lol
If a child likes apples they are more likely to just eat an apple. But it may very well be an attraction for children who would likely try cigarettes anyway - iow one's with parents AWOL. But if the parents are AWOL, ecig would be low on the list of 'bad outcomes'.

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you?
Many, I'm starting to lose count.

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping?
No

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name?
No. Although there might be a time when you have enough people that haven't read 1984 or who think words mean nothing in particular - ie. where some newspeak would actually work. Otherwise people think such an idea is BS and they would be right. Ever notice how "xxxx-challenged" hasn't really worked it's way into the national conversation except on NPR, PBS, and late night comedians making jokes? There's a reason for that - the people that come up with that stuff are f...in idiots.

 

[JKG]

Well, I sent you a PM too. Good luck!

 

[kristin]

Just for fun....

Do you still use tobacco products?
"No." This is an ambiguous and loaded question in that 'tobacco products' is the wording in most legislation and nicotine is a 'tobacco product'. If you want to know whether people 'still use tobacco', you should ask it in that form and since there's no actual tobacco leaf in any of the ecigs, then people who don't use tobacco could answer 'no' more correctly. Without such an explanation the negative answers could be used to show how stupid ecigarette smokers are, in that they 'don't even know they're using a tobacco product'.

Are you sure that ALL of the nicotine in ALL e-cig liquid is derivative of tobacco? Nicotine is also found in tomatos, potatoes, eggplants and green peppers, albeit in lower quantities.

Besides, the question itself is not used in the article - only the answers that fit, and I think most people realized I meant smoking tobacco. Sorry if it was unclear.

Thanks for playing.

 

[Kent C]

Are you sure that ALL of the nicotine in ALL e-cig liquid is derivative of tobacco? Nicotine is also found in tomatos, potatoes, eggplants and green peppers, albeit in lower quantities.

Besides, the question itself is not used in the article - only the answers that fit, and I think most people realized I meant smoking tobacco. Sorry if it was unclear.

Thanks for playing.

First, I never said all of the nicotine in ejuice are from tobacco products but most are. In fact I'm sure that SOME nicotine in SOME ejuice is not a 'tobacco product' - about 3 or 4 companies have changed their formulations but that's because of what I said in the first place.

Second. You were not 'unclear'. You said 'tobacco products' and that, as I pointed out, has a connotation that is currently very much in the news and esp. with those that would attempt to shut down ecigs if they could. I'm sure most people thought you meant smoking tobacco too. I'm pointing out what some people reading the answers could say if they were anti-ecigs. And that would be a distortion that could be avoided.

 

[kristin]

Oy! You do like to pick things apart, don't you?

The fact that most ecig users don't consider it to be the same as tobacco could also send the message that there must be something so different about it that people may be missing something.

Semantics and spin.

Either way, just for you, I changed the question. Hope you have a nice day!

 

[Kent C]

Oy! You do like to pick things apart, don't you?

I like to be concise if that's what you mean. You took it personal. It wasn't meant that way.

The fact that most ecig users don't consider it to be the same as tobacco could also send the message that there must be something so different about it that people may be missing something.

I think I get that. Not sure what 'people' you're talking about.

Semantics and spin.

That's exactly what will be used against your piece if it gets enough attention. And frankly, I hope it gets a lot. You could have taken my comments as helpful. But that's your choice.

Either way, just for you, I changed the question. Hope you have a nice day!

Again, your choice, it's your article. If you thought it was only a semantic nit pick you shouldn't have changed it. And I will have a nice day, thanks, you do the same.

 

[FL-Eagle]

Great idea, I haven't been vaping long but I will be sending you a PM today

 

[Fredrick]

What city do you live in? I live in Pembroke Pines, Florida, which is in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

What made you want to try e-cigs? To be honest with you, the state tax hike, that followed the federal one, forced me to look into other options. It was increasingly hard to support my habit, and I was not yet capable, or even quite ready to quit.

Did you want to stop smoking? As simple as that question sounds, it's not a simple "yes and no answer". I've wanted to quit for about 5 or 6 years now, but did I always actively pursue it, no. I have tried "cold turkey" and Chantix, neither of which ended well, although, both tries lasted almost six months each. And as I stated before, I just didn't think I was capable of going on with my life without cigarettes. Something inside just kept me going back to buy more, even though I knew I really didn't want to.

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs? I was skeptical, but very pleasantly surprised. It did take a little getting used to the difference in the feel of a cigarette, and a personal vaporizer. Not so much the physical feel itself, more of how to feel comfortable with it in my hand, opposed to a cigarette. And the "draw" on a cigarette is much different to me, too.

Do you still use tobacco products? I can proudly say no to that. It's been almost a month now since I've used tobacco of any kind. I didn't really think I would quit smoking, but after using my vaporizer for three days, I didn't even want a cigarette anymore. I gave the two packs I had left to a friend....I know, some friend I am.

What level of nicotine do you use? Well, I was originally using 11mg of nicotine, but I am in the process of stepping down to 8mg. What I should say is that in two days I'll be changing my level according to a promise I made to myself.

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs? Ask me again in December.

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero? I will be nicotine free when ringing in the new year. I know that is so cliché, but I will actually be using zero nic by the start of December, who knows, maybe sooner. My promise I made to myself, is to drop 3mg of nicotine every month, at the least.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs? I haven't thought about that until you asked me. The main thing that comes to mind is family. I can spend time with my family without having to sneak away for a smoke. None of my immediate family smokes, and just the smell alone is enough to give most of them allergy problems, so I would either have to have a "nic-fit", or go off and do my thing(smoke). I don't have to worry about that anymore. That's one of the big ones for me, family.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you? The three biggest things, in my mind, are the smell, the tar, and nicotine control. The smell of cigarettes will haunt you when you smoke. It taints your home, your car, your social life, and most of all you, or me in this case. Not having to deal with the smell is a HUGE plus. As far as the tar, well, that should be self explanatory, one burns and one doesn't. The nicotine control is a great step in the right direction. This is of course my personal view of it, and nothing more, I just want to make sure that's understood, because these aren't marketed that way, but that is how I choose to use it. With cigarettes, I found it hard to get a handle on my nicotine addiction. The whole "I'll smoke three less tomorrow, and three less the next day" just does not work, because you still want a cigarette. Scratch that, you still NEED a cigarette. I can at least "simulate" smoking the same amount physically, while getting less nicotine delivered to my body.

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions? So far, I've had about a dozen or so positive social interactions concerning my vaporizer. I usually just press them to become more informed about them before jumping into it, because let's face it, it's not the same as going down to the corner store and ordering your favorite brand and a pack of matches. People for the most part seem very eager to at least try it though, which I like to see. I have only had one negative experience, and saying it was negative is a stretch. I had a guy who simply said, "Why the hell would you want to quit smoking for?", and he has every right to feel that way.
What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking? N/A

What do your children say about e-cigs vs. smoking?N/A

Does your teenager want to try e-cigs?N/A

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement? It made my ears perk up, but it just made me read more, and do some research. Heck, that's really how I got into these was when they brought it to my attention. I started asking myself questions about these devices. Most of the ingredients used in the liquids for personal vaporises are not really new to me. I've worked in the food industry most of my adult life, and these are ingredients that are in a lot of the common things people consume everyday.

How do you feel about the FDA announcement? I believe it was a biased report,and that it in fact didn't show the health threats it posses, compared to say, maybe, cigarettes, or even the FDA approved nicotine inhaler. They also say they found trace levels of several toxic chemicals, what they don't say is how minuscule these traces were, and how many things we use everyday have higher levels. I have followed the FDA's word for years without question, but now I feel that they are in need of being questioned. And we are in need of answers, truthful answers.

What would you say to the FDA if you could? I hope you know what you are doing, because I do.

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas? I don't normally use my vaporizer in non-smoking areas, so it would not really affect me too much.
What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside? Most likely, socialize. I may not smoke any more, but they are people too. I have been looked down to all my adult life for smoking, and I don't think it would be right to look at them the same way.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether? No, would you? What I do in my home is my business.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking? Not a chance.

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking? I ask them where they get their information, and then go from there. You can't please everyone, but you can sure try.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you? I explain the ingredients that make up the vapor, and then usually ask them if they know what are in cigarettes. "Surely you have seen Truth commercials." Not a very hard comparison.

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you? Of course it is, but so is caffeine, alcohol, and a lot of other legal addictive substances. I'm not trying to get addicted to it, I already was. People struggle with all sorts of addictions everyday. I think people would want to help them conquer their demons, not wave it in front of their face screaming, "No you can't!". Are we not civilized yet?

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes? Good vs. Evil.

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why? It's definitely less dangerous. I'm not inhaling burned substances, laced with chemicals.

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking? I'm waiting for health care reform for this one.

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)
I do, but not at the moment (tired).

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking? Nonsense. Adults love good flavors too. I would have never been a Chef if that was not the case.

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you? I have a close friend that started vaping recently. I'm proud of her.

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping? Maybe, but I think it has a no-nic future in the Culinary world, but don't tell anyone.

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name? Not really. If the media wants them to look bad, they will. If the media wanted to make hem look good, I wouldn't be talking to you.

 

[slykchyk]

What is your full name?
Terri Eyler

What city do you live in?
Matlacha, Florida

What made you want to try e-cigs?
At the suggestion of a friend.

Did you want to stop smoking?
Not necessarily, I just could not stand the taste of the regular cigarettes anymore since the price went up so high and the quality went down in relation to the price.
At the time I was smoking I was unaware that now I was also inhaling flame ......ant.

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs?
I was totally amazed at the smoothness of the vapor. Cigarettes were no longer an option for me

Do you still smoke tobacco cigarettes, pipes or cigars?
No.

What level of nicotine do you use?
I started with high and I am now using medium, going to low next month and then possibly to 0, but I may just stick with the low and keep using it. I really enjoy the psychological aspects of the e-cigarette and I see no harm in using them. I have shown a list of the contents to my doctor and also to my pharmacist and they said there was nothing there what would be of concern to either of them. In fact, my doctor had two people in his office who were smokers and he had me demonstrate it for them.
"I smoked in my doctor's office."

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs?
If I go to zero in another month I will continue to use them as I have confidence in the advise of two professionals whom I trust without question.

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero?
I think that I probably will in another month.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs?
I am no longer coughing in the morning, my children are happier, it is costing me far less than cigarettes, and my birds are not sneezing any more. I just feel much better.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?
In my opinion, there is no comparison between the two, it is like comparing sugar to arsenic

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions?
I do not presume to smoke it anywhere smoking is prohibited, and would not without the permission of the owner. However, in places where smoking is allowed, I am constantly being asked what it is and where can they get one. I have really not had any negative reactions.

What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking?
He is smoking an e-cigarette also. He was a smoker of 3 packs a day. He is now down to 1-1/2 packs a day. I do notice a difference in his coughing, much less. He gets a little grumpy without high levels of nicotine in his system and says he will never quit completely, but I am still working with him.

What do your children say about e-cigs vs. smoking?
They love the idea that I am going to be around long enough to be a pain in the .....

Does your teenager want to try e-cigs?
My children are grown, but if I had a teenager that was smoking, I would have no problem switching them to an e-cigarette. In my humble opinion it is much less toxic than a real cigarette.

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement?
My immediate reaction was "why now?" E-cigarettes have been here for 5 years. Doesn't that set some kind of prescedent. The FDA has returned and/or siezed shipments of e-cig products since 2008. I thought that jusisdiction was under ATF. So did they already know they were going to have jurisdiction?

How do you feel about the FDA announcement?
I think it is just a power play.

What would you say to the FDA if you could?
They are grabbing at straws and the straws are getting shorter. I think they are trying really, really, really hard to find something wrong with them. I do not think it is right to put a total ban on all e-cigarettes until they have tested them all. THey are not giving up truthful infomation and spinning it in a way to prove that they were right in doing what they did. The truth is they are calling them unsafe and they have not done a comparison with cigarettes. The fact is that they do not know anything about them so they have nothing to fall back on. It has been mentioned in many articles that polypropylene glycol is used in antifreeze, but they neglected that it is put in antifreeze to make it safe.

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas?
I do not have a problem with it.

What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside?
Spend as little time there as I could and most of it would be outside.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether?
No, so Big Government and Big Pharma, you are not getting any more of my money.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking?
No, I would find a way to use all of them that I have.

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking?
They have no knowledge of the product.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you?
Do some research and then come and talk to me.

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you?
It is in some cases, for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease, or a predisposition in family history for it. However, if you are going to smoke anyway, the e-cigarette is a much wiser choice as you cut out over 4,000 deadly elements of regular cigarette smoke.

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes?
Consider a gun with no bullets to a smoking gun.

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why?
Absolutely, it is a healthier alternative to smoking because of the ingredients of an e-cigarette compared to the deadly smoke of cigarettes.

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking?
He was very impressed with it and so was my pharmacist.

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)
By the time I find one it has already been posted on the forum, so I just look there.

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking?
Get a grip! Tutti-frutti was not the reason I sarted smoking when I was 16. Advertisements were not the reason either. It was peer pressure. Children are in their own world and will get what ever they want when ever they want it, most of the time you will not know anything about it. Children are taking crystal ...., ......., pot, ecstasy, and what ever else they can get their hands on, and the FDA is worried about an e-cigarette. The government has some really big fish to fry here, so what it the plan to stop all the drugs that they are on. Does crystal .... come in tutti-frutti?

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you?
Yes, five total so far.

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping?
I do not expect to, it is enjoyable.

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name?
I really do not think the name is that important, education would be the key here.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

OK all, I'm jumping in and writing a news story that I hope will be picked up by the press & also go viral. We need press releases NOT written by e-cig makers/suppliers to be credible. I need to interview you and I'll need to use your real name. I'd like to be able to quiote 5-6 people. No sellers or distributors please - even if you are also a PVer.

This article will be written to show the e-cigs in a positve light with anectodal stories on how it can be a good thing compared to smoking. It is not going to claim it stops smoking, but will attempt to show non-smokers that it IS a better alternative. I will post the article here for feedback before posting to PR sites. Please PM me if you have a good story. I want to know if you quit smoking altogether, positive feedback you've received when out in public with your PV, how it makes you feel both physically and mentally, how it has changed your life, etc.

Please PM me your story and name if you are willing to participate. Remember, you have to be willing to use your full name or I won't be able to quote you in the story.

Thank you!

This is awesome. Yet again... Kristin whips one out of the park for the team.



An onslaught of consumer press releases and article submissions is a fantastic way to get out to the world. Well written, non emotional, non attacking and point driven are just what is needed.

 

[booboo]

8-o
What is your full name?
Jessica Bruns

What city do you live in?
San Diego, CA

What made you want to try e-cigs?
I was desperate to quit smoking, and after trying cold turkey, the patch, the gum and Chantix (and getting horrible side effects from the last 3), I just couldn't get a grip on it. I was so sick (bronchitis/borderline COPD) from smoking for 20 years, that I couldn't even walk 10 feet to the bathroom without having violent coughing spasms that ended in vomiting, because I couldn't stop coughing. I would wake up in the night because I couldn't breathe and whichever lung I wasn't laying on felt too clogged up to get air. I couldn't go up stairs without thinking I was going to die, didn't dare exercise or climb the roof to fix it because I was scared I'd start coughing and not be able to stop. I felt horrible, tired, embarrassed, sick and powerless about the hold cigarettes had over me. Yet I couldn't let them go for more than 3 months at a time. Then I'd start back up and be sick within a week again. I saw e-cigarettes as my only hope to stop smoking, and thank God they worked!

Did you want to stop smoking?
No. I was a die-hard smoker who wanted to be buried with a Marlboro in my mouth. The fact was however, I HAD to quit smoking. I couldn't live any longer feeling that sick and it was only going to get worse.

What was your reaction when you first tried e-cigs?
I was amazed by it. Just the technology is pretty cool, but the satisfaction of hand -to-mouth, the vapor, the taste, the ability to "have your cake and eat it too" was such a relief. Unfortunately I got some bad products in the beginning, so I wasn't able to get a dependable replacement for smoking. I ended up back at it again, but in the meantime, stocked up on enough e-cigs, so the next time I tried (about 6 months later), faulty products wouldn't leave me hanging with no choice but to buy a pack of cigarettes. It does take alot of patience in the beginning and a willingness to experiment and try new things. It is not the same as smoking, but so much better and cleaner. Smoking is easier and faster, but if you stick it out, vaping is much more rewarding and satisfying. And I started feeling better right away.

Do you still smoke tobacco cigarettes, pipes or cigars?
HELL NO!

What level of nicotine do you use?
Around 18mg

If zero nicotine, why do you continue to use e-cigs?
na

Do you plan to eventually reduce your nicotine levels to zero?
Possibly. I don't ever want to trigger a craving for cigarettes again, so it's not a big concern right now. As long as I feel better and am not getting negative side-effects from the nicotine, I'm not concerned about it.

How has your life changed since you started using e-cigs?
Oh my God, it has changed completely. I was a chain-smoker who couldn't do anything without a cigarette. Everything I owned stunk so bad I can hardly stand it being in my house any more (like all the papers in my filing cabinet, clothes I haven't rewashed yet, my vehicle, etc). Like I said, I was deathly ill all the time, slept 15 hours a day and smoked 2 packs in the rest. Couldn't move without my chest hurting and the coughing spasms and throwing up on myself. Not to mention the guilt of being so addicted and fiendish about it, I let my dogs inhale all that smoke because I enjoyed it so much, I didn't want to change my routine and go outside. It was all I thought about and all I wanted to do. I wouldn't go to bars or restaurants or anywhere that didn't allow smoking. Being around non-smokers (like my ex-boyfriend and other friend) was a nightmare because I'd try not to offend them by smoking in their space, but it drove me absolutely mad not being able to have it when I wanted it. I couldn't do repairs on my house or yardwork, or ride bike, or some days even walk to the bathroom because my lung function was so low, it was painful. And the worst part of it all was I knew how to change it (quit smoking), yet I couldn't do it.
Now, after 8 months without a cigarette, and constant vaping, I can breathe again. My lung function tripled, and I never wake up coughing or not able to move. I can climb stairs, walk a mile, fix my roof, ride bike--everything, and my chest doesn't feel like an elephant is standing on it. I haven't had a cold or bronchitis since I quit (and I had one or the other nonstop before). I can taste and smell (sometimes too well) again, and I realize how horrid I must have smelled to people before! I don't have stinky ashtrays and fire hazards to worry about, I don't have to be embarrassed that non-smokers will think less of me, and I'm not hurting my dogs, anyone else, or mostly myself any more. I have more energy, feel more alive, can do more things, AND FEEL GREAT! It is like a miracle to me and I truly owe e-cigarettes my life. With 5 of my immediate family either dead or dying of lung disease, I can honestly say that I had a certain, painful death in front of me, and now, I don't think I do.

How are e-cigs different than tobacco cigarettes for you?
They taste a thousand times cleaner. When I went back to smoking after my first e-cigarette died, I couldn't believe how awful and dirty they tasted. Of course, I was hooked again in an instant though. E-cigs are kind of a pain, keeping them charged, having enough parts in case one dies, finding the right juice, having them stop working for no reason. But the rewards are so worth it. I didn't believe I could ever turn down a cigarette or not even want one before. But now, it's a joke to me when people offer them to me (and they do--smokers seem to hate it that I don't need cigarettes any more). It's like "why would I want to drive an Escort when I could drive a Lamborghini instead?" I don't even inhale like I used to. I used to suck that smoke in so deep, half of it wouldn't come back out. But now, it's more of a puffing action, and being able to blow clouds of vapor is more satisfying than filling my lungs. And smoking was painful to me. Sometimes, I had to force myself to just go to sleep because that's the only time I didn't smoke, and my lungs hurt too much to have another one (yet I couldn't stay up without it.) E-cigarettes are different. I do vape alot, but I don't feel like I'm going to die without it, like cigarettes. It doesn't control everything I do, but it is an added pleasure.

Have you had any positive reactions while vaping in public? Negative reactions?
Mostly negative. I vape with the smokers because I don't like to make a scene, and they all call me a "faker" and my "fake cigarette." Alot of people ask questions, and it somewhat irritates me because I just want to relax and enjoy my vape--not be the center of attention. Some people look at me like I'm doing illegal drugs in public. Some people just stare in awe, but they are not brave or sick enough yet to try it themselves.

What does your significant other think of e-cigs vs. smoking?
na
What do your children say about e-cigs vs. smoking?
na
Does your teenager want to try e-cigs?
na, but that is a totally ridiculous concept in the first place. I mean in reality, e-cigs cost way more than cigarettes and are harder to get. Teenagers don't have that much money to blow and if they do, are probably already using way worse things. As a teenager, I hated smoking because my parents did it; when I started it was because all my peers were doing it, not because I wanted to copy my parents or because of some stupid commercial or magazine ad. It had nothing to do with how they looked or the older generation doing it.

What was your reaction when you heard the FDA announcement?
That they are hypocritical idiots. How dare they condemn one product for being harmful, while they are condoning another product that is 10,000 times more harmful, addictive, and a proven killer? That is ridiculous. They allow the patch, the gum and Chantix which have more side effects than e-cigarettes, and they allow cigarettes as long as they have a warning label that says they cause lung disease, low birth rate and death????????? Hello?

How do you feel about the FDA announcement?
Very angry and disgusted. People at work tell me how my e-cig is bad for me because they saw it on the news. They have no idea that they only tested cartridges from 2 companies, when there are thousands out there and the juice in them was Propylene Glycol, which I am allergic to (so yes I do agree it is harmful), so I use Vegetable Glycerin. They can't just make a general statement about all e-cigarettes and liquids with a sample from 2 companies most of us refuse to use in the first place! That's like saying one brand of car has bad brakes and causes accidents, so all cars should be avoided. And the general public just accepts it as fact because they don't know the difference in the brands or makes. Until they ban cigarettes, which have proven millions upon millions of times to kill people with horrid painful deaths from lung disease and cancer, they have no right to act like they give a crap about our health. They approve all these drugs on the commercials with side effects like heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, seizures, and every horrible thing known to man--and they even say it in the commercial; but somehow e-cigs are evil because they haven't killed anyone yet or caused all those side effects? It is BS. I don't need a study to know how much better I feel. I can breathe now, that's all I need to know. I have a lung function tester in my house from when my lungs were so bad I had to go through all that testing and I know it was in the red zone before, and after 8 months of vaping, it is green. I shouldn't need their permission to do anything it takes to save myself from the most evil creation of all time--cigarettes.

What would you say to the FDA if you could?
All of the above plus a few choice words!

How do you feel about proposed/enacted legislation banning vaping in non-smoking areas?
Angry. There is no justice in this world though, so I'm not surprised.

What would you do if forced to vape in smoking areas or outside?
I already do, just to be polite and not make a scene, because I know if someone didn't like it, they could ban it completely and then I would be s.o.l.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were banned altogether?
Unfortunately, if I couldn't get them somehow, yes I probably would.

Would you return to smoking if e-cigs were regulated to the point that they cost more than smoking?
NO

What is your reaction when people say vaping is the same as smoking?
People are so judgmental, it is ridiculous. Even if it's not affecting them or hurting them, they just don't want other people to be happy, because they have something they don't even want? It's petty and childish and stupid.

What do/would you tell people who say vaping is bad for you?
I tell them I can breathe now and couldn't before, that's all that matters to me!

What do/would you tell people who say nicotine is bad for you?
I tell them nicotine isn't what causes the cancer (most people actually think it is), but it is just a mild stimulant, less harmful than caffeine or alcohol. Unless you od on it, it's not a big deal and actually has alot of positive effects, like appetite suppression, blood sugar regulation, and has a calming effect in your brain.

Do you have a good analogy for non-smokers to understand e-cigs vs. tobacco cigarettes? Yeah the car one. But I'd use an old junky polluting gas-guzzler compared to a fuel efficient, ecofriendly, safe model...

Do you feel vaping is healthier or less dangerous than tobacco smoking? Why?
Definitely safer, but I explained in detail already

What is your personal doctor's opinion on vaping vs. smoking?
Haven't had to go to the doctor since I started vaping because I'm not sick every day any more!

Do you have any links to online articles or videos by pro-electronic cigarette medical professionals? (If yes, please post them with your answers.)
no

How do you feel about claims that liquid flavors are a gateway for children to start smoking?
That is stupid. Children can't even afford the e-cig much less the liquid. They're going around huffing paint, smoking pot, taking X and who knows what else, this product isn't even interesting compared to all that. Wake up people?!
In all honesty, e-cigs are too much hassle and take too much patience for kids or teenagers to like (I mean you have to clean them and do maintenance and keep trying til you get it right!). Teenagers like fads that are quick and easy and don't involve work.

Have any friends or family started vaping, instead of smoking, because of you?
No

Do you expect to eventually quit vaping?
Yes, but there's no rush. As long as I feel good and can breathe, I'm not worried about having the habit.

Do you think public opinion would be better if vaping/e-cigs had a different name?
No. People would still see them how they want to see them. But I am actually offended when people call me a smoker because I go out with the smokers on break. Or they try to belittle that I haven't smoked for 8 months because I'm still "smoking". It is definitelty not smoking. They have no idea how different it is and what a victory it is to not be tied to cigarettes any more. The difference may be only in the way I feel and that my health is 90% better, and the fact that I'm not burning tar and carcinogens and poisoning my body with them any more; but to me it is a world of difference that I can't explain. It's like I have overcome a giant obstacle and I'm damn proud of it--as I should be. I am not a smoker or a doper--I am a vaper, and I feel GREAT!

 

[prof beard]

Kristin

I'd be happy to answer your questions, but before I do - is an answer from a "furrinner" (I'm a Brit) any use to you? (I could miss out the FDA questions - my answers to those might be less than helpful )

 

[booboo]

Another thing is that non-smokers will never "get" the oral fixation, the ocd, or how completely addicting cigarettes were to us and how they controlled our life--much like alcoholism being a disease, cigarette addiction is psychological, physical, hereditary and all-consuming. So if an alcoholic quits drinking, but still uses "Neer Beer" as a crutch to get through the day and fight the cravings, as long as they are not hurting anyone else or themselves, is it wrong?