Please, don't vape where you can't smoke

[wv2win]

I wanted to bring this back into the conversation because I think it's the most insightful post on the topic thus far.

I love vaping and have done enough research on it at this point that, to me, it's only logical that PVs are safer than cigarettes, and that I don't run the risk of harming those around me while I use one.

But that said, anyone who sees a cloud of vapor leaving my lips doesn't necessarily know that. And in large, open establishment, more than a few of my fellow patrons would be likely to see that cloud of vapor and immediately think of smoke. The connection happens subconsciously and is pretty well justified. 99% of the time, when you see a person exhale a cloud of anything, it's smoke.

E-cigs are still new to most people. And if we're to ensure the public acceptance of vaping, we've got to make an appeal, not a divisive demand. The way to do that is to treat vaping like smoking until the general public comes to understand the difference. This is a very critical time for our fledgling activity, here. Being bullheaded about this will only inspire confrontation.

The best course of action right now for this little-understood practice of "vaping" is to be delicate, and not draw further parallels to what people often see as rude, inconsiderate, imposing "smokers."

I disagree. As I stated earlier, I think we need to educate people in a respectful manner. If the owner of an establishment does not want me to vape in there business after I have explained it and demonstrated it, then I would respect their wishes and not cause a problem. And I do ask the server or manager before I vape. But to simply keep one's mouth shut and shuddle outside with the smokers, sends the very strong message that YOU believe that your actions are dangerous. If you, as one who vapes, are not willing to "educate" people on why these are safe, then who will? If you act like we should be segregated from the public in general, then we should.

I even carry a small card that explains what a PV is and links to positive articles on vaping. As another poster mentioned, I also think it is a big advantage when the PV you use DOES NOT look like a cigarette.

 

[Davetionary]

wv2win: I think the main problem is that, even if you have an understanding and compliant restaurant owner / bar owner / retailer who allows you to vape in their establishment, they'll eventually get tired of explaining to those who complain. Eventually, they'll probably ask you or I to stop, not because they disapprove, but because enough confusion (and no doubt threats to call the health inspector, etc) will make it too difficult to allow our little habit.

Sending a clear message is important, too. But I don't know that places like restaurants are the place to send that message. I really think we can be more effective by dealing with people one-on-one, in places where the mob mentality and gut reaction factors cannot inspire mass distaste for vaping.

And of course, as you have said, something that doesn't resemble a cigarette so closely is helpful. I use a black joye510 with a blue light (which is still cigarette-ish, I suppose), and thus far haven't gotten a terrible reaction out of anyone.

 

[VaporMadness]

Interesting discussion. Somebody made a point earlier that forcing vapers to vape where smokers smoke exposes them to the risk (and smell) of second hand smoke, which of course is why there are all the laws regulating where smokers can smoke to start with.

I'm curious as to vaping in airports/airplanes. I haven't traveled since I started vaping and i'm wondering how folks that do travel deal with airports and airplanes. Those environments more than any others gave me grief as a smoker. Serious cravings at 30k feet not satisfied until outside the door at the baggage claim some thousands of miles later.

 

[wv2win]

I agree with your first point about the owner not wanting to explain over and over again the difference between vaping and smoking. And again, I would respect the owner's wishes if they wanted me to stop vaping. But I think we should always try to educate people whenever we can. I wouldn't do this in every establishment I went to, but I would be willing in my favorite establishment, to provide the owner material to give to people on what personal vaporizers are and what they are not. I would also be willing to go over to any customers and respectfully explain it to them in person. I know that none of these actions will always work, but over time, I think we can provide a positive reaction to vaping and clearly separate ourselves from the misperception that we are smoking.

And on the health inspector point, I would actually welcome that because every law I am aware of banning smoking clearly states it is a burning tobacco product which ofcourse is not what a PV does.

Another advantage to using a mod (I use the Prodigy V2), I once told a fellow movie goer when questioned with a disdanful look what I was doing, I told them it was a nicotine vaporizer that got me off cigarettes. They told me they were proud of me and to keep up the good work.

 

[joeparker54]

I've only been seriously vaping for the past few weeks. I've been registered on the forum a bit longer and messed around with a few disposables (Vegas and Jazz) and I really must say I agree. I do vape in public places, but I've shown discretion - not only to avoid confrontation, but also because I don't always feel like explaining to people what exactly I'm doing. Generally when I smoke/vape I'm a bit stressed out (especially at work) and sometimes I just don't think I can handle ALL of the stupid questions (i.e. "Are you doing Insert smokable drug ?" and nasty people asking if they can try it. It seems like people with cold sores are REALLY interested in these things for some reason.
I do want the public to be educated, however I don't always feel like being the one to do it. I guess it's a pretty lazy and selfish way of looking at it, but it's the truth.

 

[wv2win]

Interesting discussion. Somebody made a point earlier that forcing vapers to vape where smokers smoke exposes them to the risk (and smell) of second hand smoke, which of course is why there are all the laws regulating where smokers can smoke to start with.

I'm curious as to vaping in airports/airplanes. I haven't traveled since I started vaping and i'm wondering how folks that do travel deal with airports and airplanes. Those environments more than any others gave me grief as a smoker. Serious cravings at 30k feet not satisfied until outside the door at the baggage claim some thousands of miles later.

There have been quite a few reports here on the fourm of members vaping in airports and airplanes without a problem. But I think it is a case by case situation with some success and some not so successful.

 

[wv2win]

I've only been seriously vaping for the past few weeks. I've been registered on the forum a bit longer and messed around with a few disposables (Vegas and Jazz) and I really must say I agree. I do vape in public places, but I've shown discretion - not only to avoid confrontation, but also because I don't always feel like explaining to people what exactly I'm doing. Generally when I smoke/vape I'm a bit stressed out (especially at work) and sometimes I just don't think I can handle ALL of the stupid questions (i.e. "Are you doing Insert smokable drug ?" and nasty people asking if they can try it. It seems like people with cold sores are REALLY interested in these things for some reason.
I do want the public to be educated, however I don't always feel like being the one to do it. I guess it's a pretty lazy and selfish way of looking at it, but it's the truth.

If you want to continue to vape, then we all have to go beyond what we want to do sometimes. But I also do not always feel like taking the time to explain it.

I do always carry a new cartridge tip so if someone wants to try it, they can do it without passing me their colds.

 

[Davetionary]

I think someone mentioned in one of the countless threads I read tonight that they are beginning to see electronic cigarettes banned in airports where they had previously been allowed... but another with a post from a pilot who actually invited someone up to the front of the plane to vape where people couldn't see and become concerned (was that this thread?)

It is interesting that smoking bans apply specifically to "burning tobacco products." The AAPHP petitions advertised on this site are attempting to have our PVs reclassified as tobacco products, but they still don't burn, per se.

Would separate laws have to be passed to block public vaporizing, then? Even if they're reclassified as tobacco products? Seems so, yeah?

 

[RedRamen]

And they will remain ignorant as long as those who vape hide in dark corners, stand outside with the smokers and act like it is a bad thing that must be hidden.

Until the media REALLY puts out information about e-cigs, it will not be widely known. Our community is far too small to do it ourselves. Even doing it 1 person at a time will not be enough to get media attention, there has to be a bigger push.

 

[nad33m]

If you dont tell the owner or workers in an establishment before hand, and just start vaping your setting your self up for a confrontation, and your starting the explaination on a bad tone.

I dont think the owners of an establishment would want you to personally go round and explain to people what your doing. They did not come their to listen to some guy expalining his person habits. They came to enjoy the food/music/movie/atmosphere.

If it was a dark cinema i might stealth vape. otherwise id go outside, or find another personal space, im not that desperate that i need to get my nic right there infront of everyone, or a seek attention and confrontation.

But eveyone has there own personality and ways, and the right to behave how they want. Just be prepared for the consequences.

 

[Happy_Stupid07]

I've vaped in restaurants, bars, airports, airplanes, hotels, at work, etc... Everywhere I go I vape. I've only had ONE person come up to me and say "You can't smoke in here". That opened the door to explain what the PV was and the vapor cloud he was seeing. He took a second to digest the info & said "OK then... Vape away". I heard him explaining it to other patrons (we were in a non-smoking bar) two hours later, and before they closed he said he had explained it to at least 20 people that night. I see that as 21+ people that have now been exposed to what vaping is and it's benefits.

 

[wv2win]

......
I dont think the owners of an establishment would want you to personally go round and explain to people what your doing. how they want....

I stated that I would be willing to talk to someone about it "IF" the owners ask me to. And I think there are times where it just isn't worth the hassle to explain what vaping is. And I also made a big point of acting with respect towards others.

But your actions of stealth vaping and shuddling outside with the smokers sends a very clear message that vaping is something to be hidden and not a good thing regardless of what you really think. If those who vape act just like they did when they smoked, then no one can blame the non-smokers for wanting it banned.

 

[wv2win]

I've vaped in restaurants, bars, airports, airplanes, hotels, at work, etc... Everywhere I go I vape. I've only had ONE person come up to me and say "You can't smoke in here". That opened the door to explain what the PV was and the vapor cloud he was seeing. He took a second to digest the info & said "OK then... Vape away". I heard him explaining it to other patrons (we were in a non-smoking bar) two hours later, and before they closed he said he had explained it to at least 20 people that night. I see that as 21+ people that have now been exposed to what vaping is and it's benefits.

We need more like you who are willing to break down those old barriers if we are ever to gain wide spread acceptance.

 

[leannebug]

i hate dealing with stupid ppl even more then i hate the 2nd class citizen treatment.

a truer line was never spoken!

Have to agree with the OP too; also because I depise confortation.

I did have my neighbor (a smoker) stop to chat yesterday at the mailbox. She spied my ecig and asked if it was "one of those.." I said yes and let her try it. She was very interested, so I pointed her to this site, and gave her a card to Cignot. I think more and more people are becoming aware of ecigs. Our local gas stations even carry the samplers and some carts (albeit not the best brand, but still!)

won't be long before everyone knows about them HOPEFULLY in a good light!

 

[lorikay13]

Hey...this is a great thread! So many different views...it's good to be able to think about things from a different viewpoint. Personally, I live in a state that is militant anti-smoking. You can't even smoke within 10ft of any doorway. So I wouldn't dream of vaping inside unless I was told it's okay. Which actually has happened. But...I will go outside and vape even if it is a no smoking area. And when I do I do it prepared to deal with stupidity by being kind and patient and to deal with outrage the same way. And I also do it knowing full well that if it really came down to a "problem" I would certainly politely put the e-cig away.

There is one thing I have noticed though....recently my husband has started vaping a juice that is a real hardcore tobacco flavor. And it stinks. Our house is small so after him sitting around vaping for a couple hours the whole house stinks. So I have to wonder if it bothers me...and I vape....SOME...not all...but some of our juices might be more offensive to non-smokers and non-vapers than we think.

Thanks for starting this one, OP.

 

[ragnarokstar]

I don't vape openly in public if it's a nonsmoking environment. I do vape in public bathrooms, elevators, and today in a movie theater. As long as it's discrete, who cares?

 

[wv2win]

Hey...this is a great thread! So many different views...it's good to be able to think about things from a different viewpoint. Personally, I live in a state that is militant anti-smoking. You can't even smoke within 10ft of any doorway. So I wouldn't dream of vaping inside unless I was told it's okay. Which actually has happened. But...I will go outside and vape even if it is a no smoking area. And when I do I do it prepared to deal with stupidity by being kind and patient and to deal with outrage the same way. And I also do it knowing full well that if it really came down to a "problem" I would certainly politely put the e-cig away.

There is one thing I have noticed though....recently my husband has started vaping a juice that is a real hardcore tobacco flavor. And it stinks. Our house is small so after him sitting around vaping for a couple hours the whole house stinks. So I have to wonder if it bothers me...and I vape....SOME...not all...but some of our juices might be more offensive to non-smokers and non-vapers than we think.

Thanks for starting this one, OP.

Good point on the oder. I mostly vape two liquids. One has no oder and the other a very mild vanilla oder. I can see someone not liking a smell and I would respect that. But I stand by the logic that if we act like it is bad, it will be perceived as being bad and we all will pay for that position.

 

[HotNostril]

i refuse to go back to the dark ages of being banned outside in the snow, cold, rain with no shelter like I'm deseased....i vape discreetly so i don't freak people out... but i don't want uneducated people pushing me into the smokers class, that will only make it that much easier for people to ban it and look down upon vaping. if you act like there is something wrong with it....people will assume there IS something wrong with it. ...but i would tell people not to vape mounds of clouds in public....and stop buying e-cigs...that look like real cigs.

I feel the exact same way! You give those "non-smokers" a few perks and they think they rule the world....I will NOT be standing outside in the pouring rain twenty feet from an entrance with the smokers like some sort of leper ever again!

I vape and I do it proudly! Of course the pink 901 with hot pink LED helps. I have been vaping everywhere.

 

[HotNostril]

Hey...this is a great thread! So many different views...it's good to be able to think about things from a different viewpoint. Personally, I live in a state that is militant anti-smoking. You can't even smoke within 10ft of any doorway. So I wouldn't dream of vaping inside unless I was told it's okay. Which actually has happened. But...I will go outside and vape even if it is a no smoking area. And when I do I do it prepared to deal with stupidity by being kind and patient and to deal with outrage the same way. And I also do it knowing full well that if it really came down to a "problem" I would certainly politely put the e-cig away.

There is one thing I have noticed though....recently my husband has started vaping a juice that is a real hardcore tobacco flavor. And it stinks. Our house is small so after him sitting around vaping for a couple hours the whole house stinks. So I have to wonder if it bothers me...and I vape....SOME...not all...but some of our juices might be more offensive to non-smokers and non-vapers than we think.

Thanks for starting this one, OP.

Honestly, I don't care if it offends their nostrils. When the stench from cheap perfume is banned ...perhaps I give a rats behind.

 

[Carden]

I can honestly say that I vape EVERWHERE. But I will also admit that if I am entering a non smoking establishment that I have not been in and vaped before that I will "ask" first. I sit at the table and when the wait staff comes up I just say "hey, is it alright if I use my e-cig in here"? I have never been told no, and it give me lots of opportunity to edgucate others on the product and its benefits. I do secretly vape in movie theaters as well. There are only 2 places that I have ever had a hard time. One was our local mall. Their reason was because it was a non smoking building, and there were too many "kids" around and they do not want kids to think its cool to smoke. I understood and did not vape. But I do not agree 100% with that. the second was Wal-Mart. They actually called the police on me, and cause this whole 2hour ordeal. Just because they did not understand. Nor did they try to understand. But in the end the police Just told them to leave me be and that I was not breaking any laws. I do vape in Wal-Mart every time I go there.
I have always been the type to push the line. I dont want to break laws or have people get all .... hurt because of me, but I do want my freedoms, and do like to find out where the line gets drawn.

Now please also understand that I do live in a pretty small city, and our e-cigs have spread like wildfire. so most people around here know what it is and understand. and most of them have learned from me and seeing me everyday. LOL

Point is: We should not Hide our vaping, nor should we be rude about it. We just need to be respectful of those around us. If you are not sure... Ask first. if you are in a place that you cannot smoke, and they tell you not to vape. then dont. It is their choice. And you are used to not smoking in there anyway. It will not kill you to wait till you leave, or get up and walk outside for a few.