Informative/frustrating conversation with non-smoker...Just thought I'd share

[kdubbie]

So I was having dinner with a couple of friends/aquintances last night and I thought I'd share with ECF.

So out happiness of my new found manner of nicotine intake, I told one of my friends (not very close) , that I have only smoked 2 cigarettes in a week because I started using e-cigs. He's never smoked and had commented a few times about my smoking in the past, so the reaction I was expecting was "wow, that's greats, good for you..." or something along those lines and lets just say that's not the reaction I got.

So the first thing out of his mouth was "...oh, I can't stand those things. I see people smoking them in movies and around malls, I think it's very rude and I still don't think it's ok to breath in their smoke, even it's a little healthier than second-hand smoke". Another friend also said something similar, but not as .....y

As soon as I heard smoke, my ears perked up and did one of those scooby doo out-takes "UURRHH?"

So I explained, "you know it's not smoke, right? It's heated liquid, turned to vapor ..."; And then I get "Well of course it's smoke, I can see it when people exhale..."

Mind you, this friend is very intelligent and I respect , but I started to get frustrated, and said "...again, it's vapor. What you are seeing is exhaled vapor ... Normal cigarettes are burning dried tobacco leaves with thousands of chemicals added to them...E-cigs are omitting vapor, filtered by the lungs"...

I shared about the ingredients, about a number of articles from doctor's opinions, how much better I feel after one week and how I don't wreak of cigarette smoke anymore, and also how a couple of studies I have found show no risk for second hand vapor (which can be found on the ECF forum somewhere or googling for it) ... And of course after all that I still get "Well, I don't know about those studies, it's still chemicals I'm being forced to breath...."

Banging my head against the table now I politely ask ... "How much time have you spent researching e-cigarettes? No really, I'm serious, how many hours have you spent reading article after article?" and the response, "none, I just don't like it"

So my final response was, "Well, quite frankly, I've spent many hours and days reading countless articles on e-cigs. I feel very comfortable in my decision to stop smoking cigarettes in favor of vaping, and so the next time this topic comes up, do everyone a solid and provide a little disclaimer before you speak, something along the lines of ... I know absolutely nothing about e-cigs so any opinion I share is completely misinformed and biased because of my distaste for smoking cigarettes ... "

We all stopped talking for a couple of minutes after that...LOL, I'm not joking

So anyway, as much as this conversation was frustrating, it made me think of the bigger picture ... People out there know absolutely nothing about e-cigarettes and cling to completely biased opinions on it because they associate it with normal cigarettes and that second hand vapor is just as unhealthy as second hand smoke. It's maddening to the say the least ...

I never said long-term use of vaping e-cigs are completely healthy (not enough studys done) ... But it would be nice if vapors can get some good PR and help change the minds of so many uneducated people out there.

Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to share, thanks for reading

 

[Nickotine87]

I think with the new JR Reynolds Vuse people en mass will become informed if they don't already know about vaping. But what I'm really worried about is the changes in legislation that may or may not take place as a result.

 

[StarDose]

Well he is right in one aspect, whether it is harmful or not he shouldn't have to breath in someone else's habit.

 

[ennagizer]

Some people have that smug attitude. I just call it jealousy. Their attitude is that you went from one bad habit to another and it makes them feel better to look down on you instead of acknowledging the accomplishment - an accomplishment they could never understand.

 

[Esharp]

Good for kdubbie. There is none so blind as those who won't see. It's the mind set of some people, this challenge will come up again in your future. I have had some people say to me, that`s great you quit smoking, now when are you going to give that up. You have to shake your head sometimes. You should ask your friend, when he walks down a busy street if he is concerned about car exhaust or is it ok because he can`t see it. I think the visual part of vaping is a problem for him or her.

 

[Nickotine87]

Well he is right in one aspect, whether it is harmful or not he shouldn't have to breath in someone else's habit.

Totally agree with this.

 

[ennagizer]

I have had some people say to me, that`s great you quit smoking, now when are you going to give that up.

Yes, yes, yes. Me too. Gotta relate this story. I stepped outside a business I was working at to join a couple guys who were having a smoke. Someone else comes out and makes a comment about us all smoking. I say "I'm not smoking, I'm vaping. I quit smoking." She replies "Congratulations, now when are you giving that up?" My reply: "When I start smoking again. Hey guys, got an extra smoke? I'm trying to quit vaping now." They both burst out laughing and she gave me the finger. I'm a wiseass to her all the time.

 

[mcol]

Yeah I'm going to visit my elderly parents who don't drink caffeine, use tobacco products, or put salt on their food. Taking higher nic
than usual so I won't need to hit it as much, and just going to think of some wittier comebacks on the drive there, LOL.

 

[kdubbie]

Well he is right in one aspect, whether it is harmful or not he shouldn't have to breath in someone else's habit.

I totally agree with this sentiment to a point. Now, I agree, blowing vapor in someone's face is sooo not cool, nor would I vape around anyone who might have an issue with it.

However, I feel it necessary to mention that I'm forced to listen to screaming babies and people talking on cell phones in places that are are supposed to be quiet; in addition to having to smell people's complete lack of control with cologne or perfume. Why are these not banned?

Really all I'm trying to say is, it makes me nervous when people get vocal about something they know absolutely nothing about.

 

[crxess]

Well he is right in one aspect, whether it is harmful or not he shouldn't have to breath in someone else's habit.

Seriously? We all have to breath in someone else Habits. Bad breath, Carbon dioxide, Perfume/aftershave, B.O

While I do my best to be polite and respectful of others, I do expect the same in return. Anyone that drives is exposed to FAR WORSE every time they go out.

 

[ADCarter1]

I totally and completely understand your frustration. I get it. I'm a little tired of the Holier-than-thou non-smokers. Or, even worse, former smokers who quit cold turkey and just REALLY want to tell me that I can quit that way, too, I just need to set my mind to it. When they say that, I set my mind to other things, like fervently wishing I could punch them in the face.

We need to start a thread called, "Witty comebacks to schmucks who complain about vaping". We can all post our comebacks and then have something prepared for these people. Sort of like a l'esprit de l'escalier, but this time when they say something nasty, we won't have a comeback an hour too late, we'll be prepared!

 

[Anbessa]

Vaping isn't for everyone and defenetly not for ex smoker's as my dad.He stoped smoking 17 year's ago now and i know i don't have to talk about Vaping with him at all which i understand and respect as well. My stepfather is still smoking cigarets and after a couple weeks now talking about Vaping and blowing cloud's of Vapor towards the can[videocall] he went from interest to making jokes about me and my flashlight to downrating Vaping as unhealthier than smoking,bake to interest in trying Vaping
Just yesterday i ordered for him some Vaping gear

Point is,you can talk and tell anyone what you think or do or you chosse wisely what you say when to whom. I think this saves a lot of headache,arguments,missunderstandings and bed feelings.Also might give you more peacfulle Vape time

Greets Anbessa

 

[Train2]

While I try not to make a vapor cloud anywhere people can't smoke - the description of your conversation definitely is frustrating!!
People are going to be ignorant - and people are going to act and speak regardless of their ignorance...
Don't know what else you can do except keep coming up with simple ways to explain things?

"You're exhaling vapor, too - go breath out on a mirror"
"If I hold it in for a few seconds, it'll come out invisible - is that better for you?"
"I've gone from sucking in 3000 burnt and dangerous chemicals, to TWO that most studies indicate are safe - can't you be happy for me?"

 

[InTheShade]

Great post and discussion topic.

I don't know if it's fear of the unknown or what - but I too have come across this attitude from some people that I actually classed as friends.

I still vape, they are no longer my friends. I vape for me, I am respectful where and how I vape, if you have an opinion about vaping after just seeing it on a TV commercial or after me telling you about it, then I am perfectly entitled to find that opinion ridiculous and discount it.

We still don't know the full effects of vaping on our bodies, and less so the second-hand vapor that others may breathe, so I am a big believer that we should not subject people to second-hand vapor where possible.

 

[Hippieangst]

Nice two cents here. I haven't had any resistance about vaping...yet. I know it's coming. In all honesty, second hand smoke (from analogs mind you ) is less toxic than the exhaust coming from the SUVs of many, many smoking critics; thus, second hand vapor is probably cleaner and safer than the air coming out of an AC.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

It's not a matter of intelligence when comments such as that are made in regards to vaping but more so a revealing of the close mindedness of some people. ALL my friends, both smoking and non smoking, are ecstatic that I quit smoking and have shared in celebrating my success. That's what "friends" are supposed to do for one another.