Need advice

[Krishna]

Hi,

I am from India. I live in a flat/apartment on top floor of a building, so I have easy access to a huge & airy common rooftop terrace where I vape my e-cig. Recently my neighbor from my floor requested owner of my flat/apartment, who lives in some other city, to tell me to vape in my own flat/apartment's balcony because he doesn't want his kids (ages 4 & 7) see me vaping. He is not concerned about the vapor but with the sight of me vaping; he said I am creating a bad influence/impression on the kids i.e. kids may think it is ok to vape and may emulate me after they grow up. Basically, my neighbor used "Think of the children" argument against me.

My flat/apartment has a small balcony with no place to sit so I really like vaping on the common roof terrace which is big, airy, away from the road and with a good view. I don't see anything wrong with that; all residents of my building are allowed to use the common rooftop terrace. I feel he is unnecessarily infringing on my freedom when I am minding my own business & not bothering anyone.

I just don't understand his reasoning, is he now going to tell people smoking on the roads to stop smoking when his family is travelling/driving on the road? In India there are cigarette shops by side of roads every 100 meters where people stand and smoke, is he going to cover eyes of his kids every time they pass by a cigarette shop? I feel he is trying to delegate to me some of his responsibility in properly raising his kids.

I am yet to respond to e-mail from my flat/apartment owner, but I want to present to him a good argument on why I am not doing anything wrong. I will appreciate if you post your thoughts about the issue. Just shoot away.

Thanks.

 

[jblack741]

I take it that your neighbor keeps his kids locked in the house all day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! I'm sure they see worse things day to day and will continue to do so as they grow up. Does your apt owner have a no smoking policy? if so then you are not smoking but vaping which has an incense aroma unless you are vaping tobacco flavors so I would relax in the privacy of my abode! But that's me. Another way to address this is to ask your neighbor not to bring his kids out when you are vaping so they don't have to see you. This can get ugly especially when someone uses children as crutch to manipulate a situation. Hmm, what would he do if you lit up a cigarette or cigar? Just a thought!

Good luck with this!

 

[USRN2016]

Kind of sounds like he's infringing on your rights. If he thinks he can tell you when to vape, then shouldn't you be able to (like already suggested) tell him when his kids are able to go outside? This is one of those "Nobody wins" suitations. But, since what you're doing isn't illegal, there's really nothing he can do to stop you.

 

[Newportlocal]

Some situations are best avoided. Conflict is a bummer. Sorry you are having this issue. I visited India myself many years ago. With everything the way it is there. Should be the least of someone's problems. I did find this on the web.

In India, the use of electronic cigarettes is legal. Under the Indian Health Law of 2006, tobacco smoking has been banned in public. Since e-cigarettes avoid the use of tobacco, they do not fall under this law.[60]

Best of luck to you.

 

[CreepyLady]

In this case (especially since his children will clearly have exposure to vapers and smokers throughout life) the onus is on your neighbor to explain and teach his children. Its up to the neighbor to teach them that vapers are people who made the poor decision to start smoking and that they use vaping as a method to fight addiction. Its up to him to show them that this is not "cool" or "fun", but is a tool to help people overcome a major problem.

In response to your flat owner, I would definitely make this point to him, as well as bringing up that you are currently fighting to make yourself a healthier person. You are only using it outdoors and to date the few studies that there are reflect minimal if any toxins are carried in exhaled vapor. I would also go over to casaa.org and link him to articles and information that they make available to you.

Good luck

 

[GolemGolem]

Situation sucks, do you get along with your neighbor other than this? You can try buttering him up and winning him over with something other than facts and evidence, other than that, best get the landlord on your side, and if you loose there well then I don't know. Place sounds awesome other than the drama.

 

[Juff]

Did your neighbor come to you first? If so I'd just tell him I'll do my best to not make it noticeable, and do it when his kids aren't around. You could get a small mod and a 100%vg juice and stealth vape.

If he didn't though then I wouldn't worry about respecting his wishes, when he didn't respect your right to use that space and immediately brought in the landlord to cause you trouble. Explain to the landlord it's not illegal and you have every right to be there as he does. That's if the landlord says something. He's a business man and losing you as a tenant is not good business. He'll do his best to avoid that.

Big thing is to stay level headed, don't get upset with either your landlord or your neighbor, regardless of how either approach you. It's better for you to not be the one getting angry and raising your voice. There's a bigger issue here if the man thinks his kids will be influenced more by some random stranger than him.

 

[GinnyTx]

Those sound like some sheltered kiddos, so in a common area when the kiddos are out, I'd refrain, and vape like a chimney on my own balcony, it's always best when all packed in a living place with other's to take the high road and avoid conflict. If they get onto you about your balcony vape that's just a busy body trouble maker and avoid them or tell them the facts and leave it at that, they're bullies and tend to back down when called out.

Good luck!!

 

[Tom Fuller]

As a father of two and an ex smoker who started because of my admiration of smoking elders, I fully understand his concern. I do also completely agree that your rights are just as valuable as the individual complaining. I still don't vape in the house around the family. In my bedroom when the kids are asleep I chain vape. I think a large portion of the smoking and vaping communities try to excuse ourselves of responsibility out of guilt. I am very diligent to explain to young people why I vape. I also try and remove the mystery by saying it is just a portable frying pan boiling chemicals. That description is usually enough to get kiddos to turn up their nose and walk away. I think as a responsible citizen of the earth we should curtail children being fascinated by any vice. My opinions are not meant to condemn others just my point of view.


Live Long and Vape!

 

[gslsm]

Really regret the fact that smokers have some bias in india, even in office space, i have to go down the building and smoke ( irrespective hwther it is raining or burning hot )....i could easily somke in the corridors if i wanted, but hell no.....and then people sort of scoff at your