Newbie startled at disapproval of a switch from cigarettes to vaping

[Mercurial_One1]

After smoking for almost 30 years and always failing to quit, I thought there would be unanimous rounds of "Congrats" and "How great!" coming from the peanut gallery in my life. I was wrong.

Although most were supportive I started getting negative comments, especially when I said I was glad I wouldn't constantly be relegated to the hot/cold climes of outdoors, subjected to stares of disgust because I was a smoker, etc. "They should outlaw those things in public." What? Why? This is sort of how it went:

Me: This is so great and not feeling like a social pariah is going to be awesome.

Them: That's fine as long as it's not in a public setting.

Me: Why not? There's no smoke.. they're E-cigs. It's just vapor.

Them: You're still smoking. It's against the law to smoke in public.

Me: Noooo.. I mean, no. It isn't smoke.. there is no smoke.. it's Water. Vapor.

This goes back and forth and you know what it turns out the real objection seems to be? People don't like THE WAY IT LOOKS. Are you kidding me? It LOOKS disgusting. It LOOKS like smoking. Therefore we should *outlaw it*. Now, I'm not a radical or anything (maybe a little) but I'd be embarrassed to say I wanted to outlaw someone's behavior because I didn't like the way it LOOKS.

People floor me. I'm floored.

 

[Talyon]

Yep gotta love dem ANTZ eh....

I vape only where smoking is allowed, outta respect and courtesy mate.

What we exhale isn't any more harmful then a cup of coffee, but keep this in mind some people are allergic to PG Etc...

We can only try to educate.

I fix machines for a living because it's illegal to fix people.

 

[Crash Moses]

That's a common reaction and not unsurprising considering the negativity assigned to smoking in general. Don't take it personally...instead take it as an opportunity to educate. It's easy to become defensive but in my experience taking the time to educate (non-confrontationally) will generally yield positive results. Learn as much as you can about vaping and THR and spread the word.

If it's any consolation...after six months of vaping I have far more positive responses from people than negative.

 

[klynnn]

My Mother long gone used to tell me " When those people start paying your bills then you can worry what they think."

 

[SpiritBear]

Human beings who make "looks like" judgments make me love my dog even more

 

[tj99959]

Well I'll be honest about it; I've been vaping for over two years, but I have no desire to be in a restaurant sitting in your vapor cloud while I try to enjoy a nice dinner. When we forget that our rights end where another persons begin we can only expect that laws will be forthcoming to tell us exactly where our rights end.

 

[mkbilbo]

This goes back and forth and you know what it turns out the real objection seems to be? People don't like THE WAY IT LOOKS. Are you kidding me? It LOOKS disgusting. It LOOKS like smoking. Therefore we should *outlaw it*. Now, I'm not a radical or anything (maybe a little) but I'd be embarrassed to say I wanted to outlaw someone's behavior because I didn't like the way it LOOKS.

People floor me. I'm floored.

Weird ain't it?

The rabidly anti-nicotine zealots have convinced people that if THE CHILDREN even so much as see something that vaguely resembles smoking, they'll rush out and hold up convenience stores to get cigarettes.

And there's no arguing the point. They're right. Period. We're wrong. Period. It's quasi-religious. Nicotine is demonic and the ANTZ are holy warriors out to defeat the great satan.

I'm just surprised they haven't flown planes into tobacco company office buildings...

 

[VapinWolf]

You should look at vaping as a SAFER alternative to smoking, not as a free pass to avoid anti-smoking laws.

 

[Cha0tik]

Don't worry about the haters! You know what you are doing is better for you

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8.0 using voodoo.

 

[Big Screen D]

After smoking for almost 30 years and always failing to quit, I thought there would be unanimous rounds of "Congrats" and "How great!" coming from the peanut gallery in my life. I was wrong.

Although most were supportive I started getting negative comments, especially when I said I was glad I wouldn't constantly be relegated to the hot/cold climes of outdoors, subjected to stares of disgust because I was a smoker, etc. "They should outlaw those things in public." What? Why? This is sort of how it went:

Me: This is so great and not feeling like a social pariah is going to be awesome.

Them: That's fine as long as it's not in a public setting.

Me: Why not? There's no smoke.. they're E-cigs. It's just vapor.

Them: You're still smoking. It's against the law to smoke in public.

Me: Noooo.. I mean, no. It isn't smoke.. there is no smoke.. it's Water. Vapor.

This goes back and forth and you know what it turns out the real objection seems to be? People don't like THE WAY IT LOOKS. Are you kidding me? It LOOKS disgusting. It LOOKS like smoking. Therefore we should *outlaw it*. Now, I'm not a radical or anything (maybe a little) but I'd be embarrassed to say I wanted to outlaw someone's behavior because I didn't like the way it LOOKS.

People floor me. I'm floored.

Brought to us by the same mindset that thinks telling others what size soda can be sold is a noble thing. You nailed it. It does not mater to some whether or not vaping is harmful to ourselves or others. It just looks like smoke, so it offends some busy bodies sensibilities.

 

[wv2win]

Well I'll be honest about it; I've been vaping for over two years, but I have no desire to be in a restaurant sitting in your vapor cloud while I try to enjoy a nice dinner. When we forget that our rights end where another persons begin we can only expect that laws will be forthcoming to tell us exactly where our rights end.

There is a big difference between a disrespectful vaper and acting like vaping is exactly the same as smoking and being segregated.

Many of us vape openly but respectfully with common sense. What we don't do is vape in smoking sections so we can pretend we still smoke, make the uninformed believe, through our actions, that vaping is as dangerous as smoking and be forced to breath others tobacco smoke.

If we vape openly just about everywhere but respectfully, we will be presenting a postive image of vaping and providing more opportunities to educate the uninformed and misinformed.

 

[DJ RyckRak]

"I sought advice and cooperation from all those around me,
But not permission !" - Mohammad Ali

No cooperation and support for me...
I've got no time to waste on you !

 

[Karl_Cro]

Well the world is now issue based. For or Against. People read but take in what backs up their perspective. As a small probably poor example, if you live in a two party state, the parties split issues between them, even if they don't logically go together with their other for or against issues.

Perhaps a bad example but nobody seems to take the time to find out that they may actually be more naturally ambivalent towards many issues than polarised.

My son walked into a room I was vaping in. Afterwards he had a tickle in his throat. The same thing happened a few days later. I didn't try and find out if it was the pg or the vg that was making his throat tickle. He's 4. Now I'm more careful.

 

[BostonVape]

when someone tells you 'there's no smoking allowed'

respond really nice with: 'ok well when I see someone smoking I'll be sure to tell them!'

their facial expression will be priceless

 

[mkbilbo]

Well the world is now issue based.

I'm against that!!!!!!!!!




(Sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[Nermal]

I think you are all wrong. Everyone of you.

There are people out there, and more than you would ever believe, that have some inner need to tell the rest of humanity what they cannot do. They'll act like pacifists till the get a law or a mob behind them. Then they hoist the Jolly Roger.

 

[ziggy929]

I found the same response from some people, but like someone said in the post: I only vape where others can smoke. That way I don't have to deal with the issues. I would actually feel uncomfortable vaping at a table across from non-smokers. You couldn't smoke anywhere in FL as it was before vaping so I am use to it. Just keep vaping, but respect others that r not as informed as e-cig vapers. One thing else that all vapers need to be careful of. If we push the envelope too far, we will no longer be able to jump on the internet and buy our juice or mods. It will get to the point where you will be allowed the crappy ecigs sold in the stores. Many smokers are also against us because they feel if they can't smoke we should not be able to vape. We all need to respect the laws and keep the media off us so we can go out and buy whenever and whatever we want. I know we should have the "right" to do a lot of things, but as we all know, rights are always taken away if they are PRECEIVED as effecting others. Just please keep that in mind. Not that I agree with what others think, I just don't want to go to DYI liquids or I may not be able to do that because I may not be able to buy the nicotine anymore. Sorry for the long post just want us all to keep the vaping alive.

 

[TwoStep]

I agree with most people. Worry about your view and education on the matter and then do your best to spread what info you can.

 

[ziggy929]

Not to keep making comments, but think of all of these home based small eliquid businesses that are out there. Don't you think the tobacco companies are just hating that millions of people that have switched over to vaping. The tobacco companies have the money to push the laws to stop the making and selling of e liquid, mods, etc. If we respect the laws that r set for smokers, then they will have a much harder time in stopping us from vaping and getting our supplies.

 

[wv2win]

I found the same response from some people, but like someone said in the post: I only vape where others can smoke. That way I don't have to deal with the issues. I would actually feel uncomfortable vaping at a table across from non-smokers. You couldn't smoke anywhere in FL as it was before vaping so I am use to it. Just keep vaping, but respect others that r not as informed as e-cig vapers. One thing else that all vapers need to be careful of. If we push the envelope too far, we will no longer be able to jump on the internet and buy our juice or mods. It will get to the point where you will be allowed the crappy ecigs sold in the stores. Many smokers are also against us because they feel if they can't smoke we should not be able to vape. We all need to respect the laws and keep the media off us so we can go out and buy whenever and whatever we want. I know we should have the "right" to do a lot of things, but as we all know, rights are always taken away if they are PRECEIVED as effecting others. Just please keep that in mind. Not that I agree with what others think, I just don't want to go to DYI liquids or I may not be able to do that because I may not be able to buy the nicotine anymore. Sorry for the long post just want us all to keep the vaping alive.

It does not matter how we vape. If we all vaped in a closet it would not matter, the forces aligned against vaping want it stopped, period. Don't try to apply common sense and logic to those who want vaping banned or severely restricted. They see it as a massive threat, which is quite understandable from their perspective. Being nice, submissive sheep will not change their viewpoint and they have quite a bit of power and influence.