Learning a valuable lesson about getting other to quit

[yohann976]

Ever since I've stopped smoking and went to vaping, I've been basically wanting to sing the praises of e-cigs to everyone who still smokes. I want to shout it from the rooftops and all those other crazy sayings. I've been smoking for 10 years and I got up to 2 packs a day before I quit. For me, the first week was tough. It was more about the mental addiction more than anything, but I got through it.

It's quite interesting gauging peoples' reactions about me quitting. Although most people are ecstatic and supportive, others are somewhat negative (especially the current smokers) and some have even said "you'll be back to smoking in no time." I have temporarily stopped smoking before and came back, but e-cigs are different. I have no desire to go back!

ANYWAYS, I'm getting off course from the point. I've tried to suggest e-cigs to my smoker friends and family, especially the ones who talk about quitting. They are skeptical to say the least. I've even let them take a few puffs from my e-cig and all I get is "This doesn't taste like a cig," "These are gross," or "I'm not feeling the nicotine." I also hear excuse after excuse: "I'll try to quit next month," or "I'm going through a lot of things right now."

The lesson that I've learned is that you have to WANT to quit in order to actually QUIT!!!!

 

[ctourtelot]

Very true. I got laughed at when I first started using them at poker, but it's been almost 2 years for me and the smoking ban has gone into affect so now I get asked all the time about where to get one from the same folks who used to laugh at me.

Proof is in the pudding. Stick to it for you. Just don't become a rabid ex-smoker type..those are annoying lol

 

[Kams Cats]

To be honest I had no intention of quitting when I got my eGo. All I wanted to do was having something to use so I could cut back and not smoke when Hubby was home without too much withdrawl. the side effect was that I didn't want to smoke at all afterwards. That makes me want to shout it from the rooftops too.

I have shown it to some people. Only one is ready to try it. Two others are sitting on the fence thinking about it.

 

[yohann976]

Hahahaha, I hear ya! Those people drive me nuts! One of my buddies quit years ago and all he ever did was complain about everyone else smoking. "Oh God, you guys are going to smoke again?!?" "You guys stink so bad." Then he would fake cough all the time when someone would light up.

I'm thinking it might be best to just wait. If someone asks me about it, then I'll tell them. I just remember how annoyed I would get even if someone simply suggested I quit.

 

[cowfodder]

and the smoking ban has gone into affect so now I get asked all the time about where to get one

I too noticed a big increase in interest once that went into effect here.

 

[ctourtelot]

Fortunately here in VA, despite the attempts of the former AG, the new AG made it official that e-cigs were not included in the indoor smoking ban but it's still up to the business owners. Smoking is still allowed where I play poker. I never say a word about anyone smoking (used to smoke my head off there myself), but I'm finding it harder and harder to go to poker league because after a couple hours my eyes are burning and I'm getting nauseated from all the smoke. I've started leaving after the first game in stead of staying for both.

Then I go home and have to shower because I reek bleah lol

 

[grandmato5]

You can't make others start vaping and give up smoking unless its something they themselves want to do and are willing to make a committment to do it. Let's be honest, vaping can be a pain in the .... sometimes as no matter what methods you choose to use its never just a pick up and vape forever thing. You still have to do more than one did picking up an analog and light it. There's not a one size fits all or a one flavor fits all so every individual has to put some effort into trying out things to see what works best for them. Yes to most of us here on ECF our effects are more than worth it but unfortunately that doesn't mean many of our friends and family members are ready to make the kind of commitment yet that we've all made.

 

[jackoboy82]

one of my smoker friends was coming out with cynical remarks the other day. we were on break at work and he was like "still using that thing are you?". so I just smiled and didn't bite. then he asked how long I'd gone without a cigarette, and after I replied he was said "well you might as well just give up all together then, what's the point of using that thing if you're not really smoking!"................any ways half an hour later after I had given him an ear bashing into why I use it (like I wasn't ready to come off nicotine, all other quit smoking methods failed on me and now I'm at a point where i actually enjoy using it) it was quite refreshing to see him walk away with his tail behind his legs ;-)

 

[yohann976]

Yep, I've gotten to the point where I actually enjoy using my e-cig too.

 

[AngelSahara]

Try to remember how much you hated a reformed smoker when you were a smoker ... Don't become one of them ... Lead by example!

 

[yohann976]

Try to remember how much you hated a reformed smoker when you were a smoker ... Don't become one of them ... Lead by example!

No doubt. It seems that the former smokers are the worst ones and I don't want to become one of them!

 

[MissKitty47]

Then I go home and have to shower because I reek bleah lol

Is so nice to smell of cookies instead! =)

 

[leannebug]

It's a fine line, indeed! we don't want to become like the Dreaded Ciggy Nazi's, and yet we are suddenly bombarded with just how AWFUL it smells, AND the benefits of quitting. But it's not something you can force on anyone. Keep remembering how you felt when people got on your back about smoking.. it almost had the opposite effect. I know I would want to smoke MORE when accosted like that. Best thing to do, just keep vaping, enjoying what you are doing, try not to turn up your nose at smokers.. and if asked about ecigs: then praise the process and educate them as best as possible.

 

[VAPRGAL]

25+ year hard smoker here and I never intended to quit smoking at all, just like my e-cig soooo much I switched to that. I think more people will convert if we just quietly lead the way. Just smile and enjoy your e-cig. Don't worry about anyone but you. Congrats by the way!

 

[cskent]

When I was a smoker having someone tell me to quit made me that much more determined not to.

As for those who say they don't feel the nicotine, maybe get a small bottle of decent tobacco flavor in 36mg and fill a couple of carto's with it for them to try. A few hits off of that and they won't have that as an argument anymore.

 

[swedishfish]

Yea, but we're not telling people they have to quit. That's the beauty of this. You can still get your nic. fix, at the fraction of the price.

Yea, I know. I remember about a year ago someone telling me about ecigs and I gave them "that look" too. I thought it was the most idiotic thing I ever heard.

 

[Stosh]

I've found the most curosity from non-smokers, for them I'll explain in detail the benifits,
how much I like it and tell them about the different flavors. My co-workers will even ask,
"so what flavor is it today?" The smokers I just tell them I'm getting all my nicotine, it
costs half the price, and I don't hack up a ling every morning, and leave it at that.
If they're still curious they will ask for more information, some have...

 

[GMoney]

...The lesson that I've learned is that you have to WANT to quit in order to actually QUIT!!!!...

I disagree. I never planned on quitting. I bought the e-cig mainly to have something so I didn't have to smell (or go without) when I dealing with customers. I instantly dropped to 5 cigarettes a day, from 30 or so a day. It's only been a couple weeks(I had to order more stuff) and I have not completely quit, but "real" cigs are gross to me now and shockingly to me, I know I will be done with them soon. This is what is amazing about e-cigs.

The smokers you are talking to don't know anything about the e-cig. From their perspective, they are so used to getting attacked, you probably seem like one more person trying to push a stupid "gimmick" on them to give up something they love.

I know you are just trying to help but sometimes it is best not to try to convince people. Personally, I wouldn't say anything to them. If asked, I would say "I didn't give up anything. Although, there is a learning curve, I enjoy vaping more than smoking. What I did get was much lower health risks, saving some money and I don't have to smell anymore. If you want to learn more I would be happy to answer any questions you have."

 

[Silversmyth]

I have a fellow worker that is positive I will find out my vaping is as bad OR worse than smoking.
Always says you have no idea what is in that juice stuff.
Always tell him--At least it dosen't have the 4000 of so chemicals my cigs did.
He still don't get it!!!!!
AND he was always gripping about me smelling like a ashtray till I quit.
He will at least agree that I smell better. LOL

 

[juicejunky]

My 82 year old never smoked in his life father just sent me an email link to a "free" ecig offer out of the blue. He lives across the country and doesn't know I quit smoking and am vaping. So word is getting out. ..