There's a post in the new member forums about non-smokers that have taken up vaping. For some vapers here that seems to be a taboo subject - they're concerned that any evidence that non-smokers are getting on to nicotine via vaping or (horror!) moving on from vaping to smoking is damaging to vaping's image - I think it's something we should talk about.
Non-smokers - in my opinion, there's every chance that a sizeable number of non-smokers will try (and possibly stick with) vaping as it increases in popularity. Is this a bad thing? No in my opinion - assuming the existing research we've seen as to the safety of the base ingredients and nicotine as a whole holds up then seriously - what's the harm?
In fact - imagine a world where cigarettes had never existed and a device is introduced allowing people to 'vape' nicotine (a mildly addictive but benign stimulant) in a variety of flavours in a showy but generally odourless fashion - why would we care who uses it?
Gateway to smoking - this is the real elephant in the room - there's no evidence to support this will happen and honestly, why would it? Why would someone that enjoyed vaping Boba's Bounty at a mild level of nicotine for a small daily cost and with no risk to their health become a smoker?
Children - Kids are going to do whatever they damn well please. I fully support vaping gear and liquids not being sold to minors and from what I generally see, so do most (all?) of the suppliers - but kids will get them anyway. And cigarettes and booze and drugs. Anything adults can enjoy, kids will get hold of and this 'reasoning' for prohibition is a big fat lie.
We shouldn't be scared of the 'gateway' argument - we should embrace it. Vaping shouldn't be the remit of smokers or ex-smokers - it should be a lifestyle choice for any adult that wishes to try it. Non-smokers are going to vape. Kids are going to vape.
Will they become smokers? I think not - and if their habit isn't harming them or anyone else then what right does anyone have to judge them?
Non-smokers - in my opinion, there's every chance that a sizeable number of non-smokers will try (and possibly stick with) vaping as it increases in popularity. Is this a bad thing? No in my opinion - assuming the existing research we've seen as to the safety of the base ingredients and nicotine as a whole holds up then seriously - what's the harm?
In fact - imagine a world where cigarettes had never existed and a device is introduced allowing people to 'vape' nicotine (a mildly addictive but benign stimulant) in a variety of flavours in a showy but generally odourless fashion - why would we care who uses it?
Gateway to smoking - this is the real elephant in the room - there's no evidence to support this will happen and honestly, why would it? Why would someone that enjoyed vaping Boba's Bounty at a mild level of nicotine for a small daily cost and with no risk to their health become a smoker?
Children - Kids are going to do whatever they damn well please. I fully support vaping gear and liquids not being sold to minors and from what I generally see, so do most (all?) of the suppliers - but kids will get them anyway. And cigarettes and booze and drugs. Anything adults can enjoy, kids will get hold of and this 'reasoning' for prohibition is a big fat lie.
We shouldn't be scared of the 'gateway' argument - we should embrace it. Vaping shouldn't be the remit of smokers or ex-smokers - it should be a lifestyle choice for any adult that wishes to try it. Non-smokers are going to vape. Kids are going to vape.
Will they become smokers? I think not - and if their habit isn't harming them or anyone else then what right does anyone have to judge them?
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