Need help introducing parents to vaping...

[Quoiyaien]

Hey Guys,

I am heading to San Miguel Mexico to visit my parents (retired there recently) and I want to introduce them to vaping. I am going to bring all my stuff down and let them try it. I have a few 510s I will give them to play with, and will let them try my eGo Twist and Zenesis to see how they like it. I have a bunch of liquids I am bringing, (few from AiV, Halo, Gingers, and DIY) and want to give them the best introduction possible.

It would mean the world to me if they would make the switch, but I dont want to come off to strong as an overly preachy attitude can averse as much as attract.

Does anyone have anything they would like to share about helping someone else with the conversion? My Dad is a gadget geek like me, and would love the Zenesis (the gear opportunities in vaping would be enough for him to switch); however, my step mom is a long time smoker, and very against quitting (stubbornly so). Thing is, if she smokes, he will smoke. So I really need to convince her.

I know how to appeal to my dad, because I am pretty much him, but her? damn...

Anything you can think of to help would be most appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[eagarcia123]

I might be wrong, but I heard that e cigs are illegal in mexico, but if you tell them its a tobacco oil vaporizer, theyll let it pass. have you done some research?

 

[love_leigh]

That is quite a task you're faced with. As far as she is concerned, you can do what I did and show her pics from the http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/323314-show-us-your-girly-pretty-decorated-pink.html thread. That helped me get a fence-sitting friend of mine gung-ho for a pv

 

[Lance_Wallen]

aside from the mexico ban issue, here's my advice.

1. Don't use the word quit. Use words like alternative or same as smoking, just healthier, etc. Quitting is scarey, it comes with symptoms and potential failure. Switching from coffee to tea.. not as big a deal as giving up coffee and taking up tea. You get what I'm sayin?

2. Don't hit em with anything heavy first. Your dad, maybe a gadget head but don't break out the whole toybox first thing. Get a twist or other "VV light" device fill up some cartos with different flavors/strengths of juice and use that to show them how to vape, give them the most basic experience possible, make it look as easy as pie with no doodads, no chargers, no dripping or bottles, no syringes... none of the extra crap. Hook them on the experience first, then break them into the toolbox

3. hit the separately if possible, easier to climb two short walls than one tall one.

4. If you can't hit them separately, focus on your step mom, she's gonna be the tougher of the two it sounds like and if she switches it'll make it that much easier to get your dad to switch (sounds like he's an easy sell anyway)

5. take some equipment you can leave with them if they decide they like it, juice, gear, etc. If you get them to say yes but they then have to hunt down gear, buy juice, etc, especially in mexico, it might never happen.

6. If you get resistance, don't push immediately. Whoever is giving the resistance, switch attention to the other person briefly and keep showing them, the other person will come around more if you don't back em into a corner.


I've done this multiple times with my family, friends, friends family, inlaws, and random smelly people from work. You can do it, and it's a good thing you are doing! Best of luck.

-Lance

 

[klynnn]

I read a thread where a guy said he had to take all new equip out of the original boxes so they would think it was all for personal use and not for resale in Mexico.

 

[Leal]

I agree with the idea of approaching your moms with a mind set of switching rather than quitting. Roll with the resistance. Plan ahead with flavors you think she might like and get her something pretty. If they don't smoke in their home sell it with you can vape inside while watching tv (whatever her habits). The idea here is to introduce it and let the experience sell itself. Might help to get dad on board if she hits a snag. Also when I introduce people to vaping I'm careful to tell them to not hit it like a cig. If the first puff results in a coughing fit they are more likely to walk away.

 

[shatner]

Sorry to hi-jack, but my Mother retired to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. I'm visiting for Christmas. Any advice going through customs if they search me? I don't want my gear (provari, provari mini, atties and juice) confiscated. If they ask, will saying it's a personal vaporizer help the situation? Just don't call it an e-cigarette?

 

[tigerlily]

I have to share my story. I felt the same way you do, especially as far as my mother was concerned. First let me explain that I was an avid 2 pad smoker for 40 years. I discovered vaping and managed to quit immediately without even trying. My mother was also a heavy smoker who has been diagnosed with copd. I wanted more than anything to get her to quit smoking, but she had literally tried everything and just kept on smoking. I felt as though I were watching her slowly kill herself. I chose the indirect approach. I did not say a word to her. I merely let her see me vaping and waited for her to ask me about it. When she finally asked, I was shocked to discover that she had actually already tried an electronic cigarette, but she didn't like it. Here I thought I was being all innovative and I find out she had discovered ecigs before I had, lol. Long story short, she was impressed by the fact that I had managed to quit smoking and started asking questions. The pv she had been using was one of those old ones from an overpriced kit that doesn't work well. I filled her in on what I was using and got her set up on an eGo. She quit smoking within a few days afterwards and has been smoke-free for over a year now. Her doctor is thrilled. She still has copd, but I would like to think that I might have helped her add a few years to her life.

I'm still working on my husband, my brother, and my nephew though. My husband does carry a pv with him and uses it when he can't smoke, but hasn't made the switch completely. He is starting to express more interest in quitting though. My brother has pretty much inherited all my hand me downs and has recently started asking more questions. I think his issue is he still hasn't discovered the right liquids to keep him off cigarettes. He does seem to want to quit smoking. I have purchased eGo Twists kits and several sample sized juices for both him and my nephew for Christmas presents this year. Hopefully, I will be able to convert them. In my nephew's case (he's turning 28 this month) I think he still doesn't see the health issues involved. I'm hoping to convince him of the financial gain. Cigarettes are too expensive nowadays!

Good luck with your family!

 

[tidegirl]

It may help for your stepmom to know that it does not have to be an all or nothing thing as well. "Hey, give it a try. You can still smoke too. Every time you vape that's at least one less cig." I wanted to quit smoking, but every time I tried I wanted to smoke so bad I would crack. I hate smoking when I'm smoking, but as soon as I think I can't smoke there is nothing else I want, and all the NRT in the world doesn't take the place of that. Hopefully she will love vaping so much that she will make the decision to fully convert on her own.

 

[steved5600]

Show them how much you enjoy it and how it has impacted your health. Don't force it but you can bring some extra tips and offer to let them try it. Just dont' give them 48mg nic juice LOL. Have some benign flavor (not cinnabomb). Explain how it is better than tobacco and how you know that in your experience and quotes maybe. Be ready to answer these questions:
Is it safe/safer than tobacco?
How does it work?
What is in the liquid?
Is it more or less expensive than your tobacco use was?
Why not just quit smoking cold turkey?
Is it OK to use it anywhere/is their a second hand vaping issue?

 

[rockymtnrobin]

My Son came to me, explained he knew people that made the change from analogs. He asked me to give it a try. I LOVED SMOKING. For me I started checking out You Tube and found that ok this might work. I started with a ego twist and a stardust. And I have never looked back.
People for the most part don't like change. Buy a couple of nice Ego twists kits and start with your dad. He makes the change she may follow. 4 months today 4 ego twists later and because its Christmas a new Provari because I've good. Lets us know how it goes! Good luck.

 

[pianoguy]

Sorry to hi-jack, but my Mother retired to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. I'm visiting for Christmas. Any advice going through customs if they search me? I don't want my gear (provari, provari mini, atties and juice) confiscated. If they ask, will saying it's a personal vaporizer help the situation? Just don't call it an e-cigarette?

We've been to Puerto Vallarta 3 times since I started vaping, and I've never had a problem going through security, coming or going. One time when we were leaving here, they scanned my carry-on bag back and forth a couple times (I had a bunch of cartos, a few e-cigs, extra batteries, etc.), and then asked, "Sir, are you trying to quit smoking?" I said, "Yes I am!" and they gave me a thumbs-up and sent me on my way.

 

[varitablevoltage]

San Miguel de Allende? I lived there once. Nice lil town. Anywho, proof is in the pudding (mole?) get them to try it for one week and see for themselves.

 

[Quoiyaien]

San Miquel de Allende indeed! They have been there a year now and love it! Quite the retirement journey I must say: They packed up their whole house into their Ford Fusion, sold the rest, and drove from Ottawa to Vancouver to see my sister and I, and my dads parents.. here for 3 weeks, then they DROVE from vancouver to San Miguel. Said it was quite the experience! Now I have a chance to go down there and I am über stoked!!

It would seem the whole ecig thing is not really that big of an issue as far as personal use goes. So I will be fine.

Cheers!

 

[Quoiyaien]

SO just to update...

I arrived here in San Miguel on sunday, and my dad took right to it.

I gave him all my 510 supplies, a PCC, some chargers and a pack of cartos. I also gave him a 30ml bottle of some DIY ry4 liquid and he just loves it...

We even managed to get my step mom into it!

They just put in an order, and have decided to make the switch!!!!! YAY!!!

My dad loved my eGo twist and ordered one for himself as well as some kanger T3's.. my step mom wanted something a little simpler, so she got some 510 auto batteries. and a pack of boge low res cartos. My dad also bought a couple silver 510 for himself as well.. they are rather excited about this! He may just find his way over to the forum, as he loves forums and reading.. and youtube isnt really his style.

They also ordered 3 bottles of liquid from Orb vapor, so they will be set for a little bit... I am going to regularly send them some bottles of DIY liquid, just so they have enough. The devliery times here are a bit slow, so I want to make sure they have enough liquid to last until their order arrived. They are going to continue smoking for now, so hopefully a 30ml bottle lasts them long enough..

They are going to gradually swtich, and aim to be 100% tobacco free.

I thought my step mom would be a bit harder to sell, but she said she is ready to quit. She has been a PAD smoker for 45 years!!

So I just thought Id update you all... My dad just loves it! He keeps saying "this is so cool!" he even wants to buy an Ihybrid later when he gets a bit more into it!

Thanks for all the input! This means so much to me, and Im really happy they were so receptive about it!

Cheers!

 

[tigerlily]

Thanks for the update! That is wonderful news!

 

[Quoiyaien]

So for those that contributed and were following this thread, you can head over to the New Vapers forum and see my dads intro post! Fordski is his username...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/378561-my-son-introduced-me-vaping-2.html

Mission accomplished! ...lol

 

[adeline]

This is really awesome. I'm glad your folks got into it so easily! It can be difficult to assist with a conversion if the person doesn't want to quit. Looks like your folks were ready. It's really great for all of you, and I'm glad it went so well.

 

[fordski]

So for those that contributed and were following this thread, you can head over to the New Vapers forum and see my dads intro post! Fordski is his username...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/378561-my-son-introduced-me-vaping-2.html

Mission accomplished! ...lol

Mission accomplished LOL

I now have a desk covered with vaping gear! 510s, chargers, Kanger T3s, an Ego twist, more juice than I can keep track of, a new vision eternity, an AGA-T+ (just built my first wick and coil!) and a Vamo on order!

Because cigarettes are so cheap down in Mexico (about 30 pesos or $2.50 a pack) it's going to take a long time to pay for all this gear with the savings. However I feel so much better without the cigarettes so it's well worth it!

My wife is having a bit more of a struggle with it, but maybe a pink Provari will help???

Thanks, Aaron!