Is vaping worth the trouble of concealing it from your family?

[Jman8]

My teenagers became adults while I was vaping. My non-smoking daughter decided she wanted her own mod as a birthday gift. She reasoned that all of her friends, boyfriend, and brother all smoked cigarettes. While hanging out together, they'd do what many "kids" that age do --- sit around and smoke cigarettes. She didn't want to start smoking too, but the peer pressure was becoming strong. She wanted her own mod to vape zero nicotine flavors.

I don't get why the people resisting the non-smoking OP are liking this post. What's the difference? The fact that parents are being kept out of the loop? That's it. If that is the case for those, then make that clear as @AndriaD did. Otherwise, you seem to be very inconsistent with what you are liking/not liking.

If you're lurking in this thread and thinking of posting on ECF, and are a non-smoking wannabe vaper, I'd advise you tell a little while lie and say you either have smoked or are thinking about starting and then watch many fellow ECF'ers bend over backwards to help you get the right set up and all the right things to enjoy your vaping experience. But leave that out, and many will ignore you as if you are not worth helping out, even a little bit.

 

[Jman8]

Addicts as were being called, speak from a position of knowledge and authority. Weve already been down that road and its only natural that we warn people away from making the same mistakes.

So either vaping is a mistake and ought to be treated as such (on all threads) or it's an activity that you find something more than shame in.

But in pretty much all other walks where addiction comes up, it is far easier to process the warning when the person is on path of recovery, not use. Then it just reads as hypocrisy and/or "take this with a grain of salt."

The idea that someone can (or automatically will) become an addict from vaping zero nic, blows my mind. That is what we are saying is a "mistake" in this thread. Wow!

 

[Jman8]

I'm surprised the topic got this far. Yes, OP asked for our opinion, which in its simplest form, was asking us for permission to LIE to parents, family, in order to take up a "hobby".

To me, the answer to that is always NO, since there are many avenues available to most people that don't include turning oneself into a LIAR.

Would depend on what the lie is. To not qualify that when on a vaping forum for vaping enthusiasts is grounds for this sort of debate. I'll be glad to go on with defending OP's position for another 100 pages to stave off the vapers who use rhetoric such as "mistake" and "original purpose" and most of all "shaming" to make their ridiculous points.

I see those points as bigger lies than what OP is thinking of telling but has not yet told.

Many snuck around as smokers at similar age, feeling very justified in their reasoning to sneak around/hide, but then have audacity to say it was something other than themselves that got them into smoking. It was the nicotine that made them do it. No wait, it was the pressure from peers. No wait, it was that BT made it addictive. When in reality, had they just been up front with their parents, perhaps they wouldn't have been allowed to continue. But continue, they did. Keeping it hidden and all.

For some, they willl justify lying about something they agree with, but not support lying about something they don't agree with. Such is justification and moral relativism.

Lying about using non-nic vaping is equivalent to lying about jay-walking at age 19. If OP has friends that are drinking, like I dunno, pretty much every person between age 18 and 21 does, then all those are likely sneaking around doing things that pretty much all "kids" do at that age. I'd reckon it's around 98% of people that ever existed that hide things from their parents that they are fairly certain the parents aren't going to welcome / openly approve of. So, if it is the lying, we'd be admonishing overwhelming vast majority of the population (as in 98% of all people that have ever existed).

There are so many instances where a parent might not approve of something that is otherwise legal, but just that parents have different values than their offspring. Like listening to a type of music might be great example. Heck it could be that parents only listen to goth and kid wants to listen to classical knowing their parents have openly said classical music needs to be banned. The kid would then have to sneak around to listen to that type of music and lie to their parents if they confront the child and ask, "have you ever listened to classical music? Have you ever done it while you lived in this house?"

And on this thread, we'd say the parents forbidding classical music in their house are the people to be respected and never ever lied to.

And yes, I'd equate vaping non-nic liquid to listening to classical music.

 

[Jman8]

Sophistries.

A lie by omission is still a lie....despite whatever rationalization you fabricate for it.

So unless you tell an officer of the law that you drive over the speed limit, you are lying to all police officers by this logic. Go ask your local law enforcement personnel what they have to say about you lying to them. Report here what those consequences could be according to what LEO says exactly.

By your "logic" its okay to cheat on my wife as long as I hide it from her? I think she would disagree with you on that rather strongly.

If you are cheating, then by definition you are hiding it. It would be okay to go outside of the marriage with her allowance for such an arrangement, thus not cheating. But if you know she would disapprove, then you are going to hide it if it is what you want to do.

The danger in lying to ones self, as well as everyone else around you, is that eventually you will start to believe your own b.s

I think I've heard of maybe 3 characters in all of human history that didn't tell lies, to their own self. And on all 3, I constantly question if they were consistent as all of them are people I've not met in person, nor do I know all things they were up to.

There are little lies we all tell ourselves and then some whoppers that ALL of us tell ourselves. Vaping zero nic and not being completely forthright about that with people who say they care about you, would be in the category of teeny tiny lie we are telling, but not actually telling because it is lie by omission.

 

[Vi-NG]

Hi @WhiteWolf747
I will add also my bit to the conversation, and simply DON'T start to vape.

Is it cool? Is it desirable? IT IS NOT!

I am saying so even though I love to vape, I am enthusiast of Mods-Tanks and so on, I love my fellow Vapers and community.

I begun to vape because I saw on it a SAFER alternative to cigarettes... and I am really glad I did it however I don't see any rational reasons you should start to do so.

Please find another way to fulfill whatever is the need you want to fulfill with vaping.

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

Grow up, then you can do just about anything you want w/in reason

 

[prt1979]

A friend of mine is willing to sell me one of his old e-cigs for a very cheap price. It works just fine and it's very nice to vape with (I've used it before) so there's no issue with discretely acquiring an e-cig. The only issue is how to hide it from my family. I'm 18 (19 in a few months) so obviously I don't need my family to make my decisions for me, but I also know when it's a good time to tell them things and when I should just keep it on the down low. Based on how my family is, vaping would definitely be a "down low" kind of thing. Would investing money in vaping (just as a hobby. It's not to get off of regular cigs or anything) be worth it if I could only vape freely in solitude or around (and occasionally with) my close and trusted friends?

Any relevant input is appreciated.

I am a bit late in responding, but no.

 

[AndriaD]

Meanwhile, others of us do have high standards, both for ourselves and others. Do we fail fall short of the mark every once in awhile? You betcha. But we learn and grow from that and we manage to achieve more as a result.

I'm not sure that preferring honesty is necessarily a "high" standard -- more of a sane and reasonable standard. But you're right; just because a certain standard is held, does not mean that even the person holding that standard is always perfect in adherence to it -- we're only human, after all.

And actually, since the OP has clarified the matter a bit further with extrapolations for his family's likely response to finding out he vapes, I would say that simply withholding info, rather than overtly lying about it, is actually pretty common behavior for a great many of us. We haven't shared the fact that we have a cat with my family, because my mother is frothing-at-the-mouth rabid in her dislike of cats. She's also the kind of irrational person who feels that only HER opinions are valid, and everyone else is just WRONG, and she will go to great and tedious length to explain to you WHY you are wrong, if you disagree with her. If she came right out and asked if we have a cat, then we'd say yes, but given her prejudice and irrationality, it's really better just not to go there at all.

If this is the case with the OP and his family, then I understand it a great deal better, and I would revert to my total lack of concern over a non-smoker vaping. It's no more radical than a non-drinker (who is not an alcoholic!) deciding to have a beer, or a glass of champagne at a wedding or other celebration. Perhaps even far less radical, since any alcoholic beverage contains alcohol, and he's already stated that he would be vaping 0mg -- it's more on the order of a non-drinker deciding to have an NA beer, or NA champagne.

Andria

 

[AndriaD]

If non-smoking person wants to vape zero nic, I would think the pro-vaping position would be "sure go right ahead" whereas you would argue the pro vaping position is, "first you have to start smoking and get addicted to that, and then we can talk about whether vaping is the choice for you. Hint: it is, now that you are addicted to smoking."

And I think it is clearly insane to call someone wanting to vape zero nic, as a non-smoking potential consumer, a problem for vapers.

Not so much "insane," as "irrational." I have felt that *feeling* myself, seeing a bunch of non-smokers doing the cloud-chasing thing, "who are you to usurp my lifeline?" But then I actually THOUGHT about it -- and THOUGHT is the enemy of the irrational. Rational THOUGHT would tell us that if someone starts vaping who has never smoked, then it's entirely possible that a) that person MIGHT have started smoking, at some point, and b) vaping may PREVENT them from ever smoking, OR, it may make any eventual trial of actual tobacco so distasteful that they never take it up as a full-time endeavor. I'd call either of those potentialities a major win -- I know you dispute the actual deadliness of smoking, but I think it's unquestionable that for the greatest number of those who smoke habitually, there is SOME compromise of health involved, so if they never become a habitual smoker, that's a big improvement.

I understand the irrational wish to keep vaping for those who "truly need it," but that doesn't make that wish any less irrational.

Andria

 

[BackDoc]

Much input here , many opinions , much heated debate......the crux of this is simple OP, whether you are 18 or 80 you are not an adult if you are a dependent e.g.; not supporting yourself/ living with your parents ,etc......that being said you are under the house rules of your parents,you have no rights unless you are granted them by them......whether you agree or disagree with them is irrelevant . I'm sure many would disagree with my advice, so be it. ive raised boys who are now Men that I am proud of, it wasn't easy ............

 

[Marina2]

I only read about half this thread and a lot of issues have arisen. So, I'm just going to stop and address your question posed in the op.

You asked, "Would investing money in vaping (just as a hobby. It's not to get off of regular cigs or anything) be worth it if I could only vape freely in solitude or around (and occasionally with) my close and trusted friends?"

The answer to that is purely subjective. For many, the hobby (as you called it) in vaping lies in the collection of all types of tanks, mods, juices, artfully building coils, etc, etc. Once these things begin adding up people like to arrange them, display them, take pictures of them, basically share with others what they've collected. This aspect of hobby vaping involves a considerable investment of time, money, and space and most definitely won't be possible, or in the least, worth it or enjoyable "on the down low".

For others, the hobby lies in the act of vaping itself, kicking back with a nice vape, relaxing and enjoying the taste and feel of the vapor or blowing clouds. For this, you don't need to invest a lot of money, time or space. All you need is to get a good set up right off the bat and enjoy your hobby. I think it could easily be done "on the down low" and worth the small investment if this is the hobby aspect you're thinking of. You said you could get an e cig cheap from a friend that you already know is enjoyable for you. Of course, this wouldn't be worth it if you aren't able to be discrete about it. I take it your family haven't come right out and forbid you to vape in their home. That would be a whole other story.

In the end, only you know where you want to go with this hobby and if it's worth it. You're an adult, hopefully one with good judgement and will make the right decision. One thing I will say, if you don't use nicotine don't start. Vaping is just as enjoyable, if not more so, without it.

 

[DaveSignal]

I haven't read all of the pages of comments here, but will say that I vape as a hobby. I did previously smoke, but now I vape just to vape, because I love vaping. And I enjoy nicotine. I collect RDAs, mechanical mods, and occasionally build fancy coils. And I try new juice constantly. I recently moved to a new apartment that is in a non-smoking complex. There is nothing in the lease agreement about vaping, though, so I do it all the time in my own home.

 

[StonyArtichoke]

I hid it from my family (besides the vapers) for a while just as I did my smoking. The issue is that you aren't using it to get off of cigarettes in that case its too much hassle. As many others have recommended you should look at another hobby. Vaping is harm reduction from smoking cigarettes but your still putting foreign things in your lungs so it's not necessarily a "healthy" habit for non smokers. The last thing you want is an addiction, it kinda sucks when you can't vape so there's not a reason to if your not smoking cigarettes.

 

[Scotticus93]

My first car, sold before I was old enough to drive, was a 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a 440 Six pack and a 4 speed. Second was a 70 Hemi Challenger with a 4 speed. I've been through most of what GM and Mopar had to offer. Even a few exotics.

My ultimate dream car is the Nissan skyline gtr nur edition. If I could find one I would have to import it and be out probably at least 100k

 

[SomeTexan]

My ultimate dream car is the Nissan skyline gtr nur edition. If I could find one I would have to import it and be out probably at least 100k

Those are near cars. I'm not that big on them, but there do perform fairly decent. I sold the Super Bee for $175k as it was one of 4 in its color and equipment package. The Challenger was appraised at $250k, a 1 of 3 car. I never got into rice like I did old school American iron but I've owned a couple Supra's. When it comes to bikes, I will choose a riceburner over late model American any day.

 

[Scotticus93]

Those are near cars. I'm not that big on them, but there do perform fairly decent. I sold the Super Bee for $175k as it was one of 4 in its color and equipment package. The Challenger was appraised at $250k, a 1 of 3 car. I never got into rice like I did old school American iron but I've owned a couple Supra's. When it comes to bikes, I will choose a riceburner over late model American any day.

Fair enough lol. Did you upgrade the supras at all and idk how you got all that money but good job lol

 

[SomeTexan]

Fair enough lol. Did you upgrade the supras at all and idk how you got all that money but good job lol

Yea, a couple of the Supra's were built to the max. One was a road race car, converted to a supercharger. The rest stayed turbo, but bigger than stock, Lol. I've owned and built more than a dozen businesses over the years. I learned a long time ago that I don't like working for others.

 

[Scotticus93]

Yea, a couple of the Supra's were built to the max. One was a road race car, converted to a supercharger. The rest stayed turbo, but bigger than stock, Lol. I've owned and built more than a dozen businesses over the years. I learned a long time ago that I don't like working for others.

Sounds like a good deal well I just found my dream r34 and its only 71k. Wanna buy it for me?

 

[SomeTexan]

Sounds like a good deal well I just found my dream r34 and its only 71k. Wanna buy it for me?

Lol, I'm close to hitting my retirement goal and will be starting to sell stuff soon myself. Then I find a nice big boat and hit the islands. Just a couple more years...

 

[madangus]

@WhiteWolf747 also... Within 6 months, a year, sometime soon, there could very well be very high taxes on anything vape or most of the current market being completely decimated. Please feel free to check out the threads on deeming etc since it probably sounds impossible without that context.

You don't have much time or space to do your own coils and such. So yeah this first device might be cheap, but that won't last and the consumables replaceable coils etc are likely to get a lot more expensive. And nutty as it is 0mg juice isn't safe either.

The risk for you at that point COULD be that..
1. You wasted all the money you had put in thus far, unless the enjoyment really beat something else you could have done but again travel/kick ... stereo/car/apt... I love vaping but those things def. give me more enjoyment for longer. You probably won't remember the night you vaped some nice cinammon apple buns juice fir the first time 5 years from now, you might remember going to canada fir the first time, or seeing the pacific fir the first time etc...
2. You are on a hamster wheel of escalating cost
3. Maybe you get tempted to smoke cause its just less hassle (sadly i fear this will happen for some folks)

Something to think about...

Also, ok so i am not going to debate ommmission/degrees of lies... But if you vape regularly and your parents ask what will you say? How will you feel? What if they see you? ... Maybe its fine but might want to think about it.

And again, to heck with 'other people are doing much worse' - that does seem like a cop out. Live your life and do the best for you. Aim for something better too. It is easy to just look at the folks that are a few miles from you but its a big world. The way folks live in 1 place may seem completely insane to others in different states countries etc.