Shocked about e-cig misconceptions

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nebulas

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Why not just call it an electronic cigarette because that what people understand. People are already confused enough about what they are. Trying to assign different names that we think will have a more positive effect on people will only confuse them more. There may be misconceptions about the dangers, or lack of, of an electronic cigarette but then that is our responsibility for us to give accurate information out to those that we discuss e-cigs with.
 
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EddardinWinter

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The people who want to find out the reality of personal vapor devices will find a way, no matter what it is called. The people who want to be offended, protect children, save just one life, et al. will find a way to condemn it. We must tell the truth and stick to facts and do it calmly and firmly. Then ANTZ insistence on citing outdated studies and shrieking like banshees will lose in the long run. The success of the ANTZ with cigarettes has given them confidence in a method that only works when the product is truly dangerous. Stand firm, speak clearly, let their lack of composure and grace speak for itself.
 

Gabe1291

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When it comes to the PG argument, I always point out that you can find it in the ingredient list of a lot of foods and pharmaceuticals. If the antifreeze part comes up I tend to point out that water is also used in there as well. After pointing it out on a few flood labels around the office, people tend to relax a bit on that issue, lol They dont get so upset after realizing they are eating it for some reason.
 

shatner

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I say "Its my vaporizer" and they say.. "Oh. are you sick" and i just say no i used it to stop smoking.. and they say WOW and a conversation ensues...

20+ converts so far..

This! I NEVER refer to my vape as an "E-Cig". Just the word 'cig' or 'cigarette' has such a huge negative stigma attached to it. BUT, people are catching on to vaping and are much more tolerant of it. Just yesterday, in my car at a red light, someone asked me what it was.
 

shatner

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Trust me, the ANTZ would be screaming no matter what we call them.

The first kind of ANTZ is a prohibitionist who believes nicotine is an evil vice that must be eliminated from the face of the earth.
The second kind of ANTZ is in reality a paid lobbyist, funded by Big Pharma to stop electronic cigarettes in any way possible.

Neither of these groups of ANTZ care in the least what we call them.

I will definitely admit, though, that it might be less easy for them to fool the public with their lies if we called them something different.
The public hears "cigarette" and is already mentally prepared to accept anything bad that anyone says about them.

Good point and very well written, DC2.
 

Mariwashere

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Ah, language; how much we have advanced with your development... what with our ability to express ourselves to the point of confusion. Connotation versus intended denotation is the downfall of any method of worded communication.

I have called it a 'nicotine inhaler' to a non-smoker with an aversion to all things tobacco related... which conversation ended when I compared my habit to their coffee drinking... I call it an e-cig to smokers who don't have that aversion. I've called it a pv for yet others I was certain had no illegal substance connotation of the word 'vaporizer'.

Know your audience and adapt as you see fit
 

Hulamoon

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Words are definitely triggers for a lot of reflex elbow jerk verbal reactions. I think the word cigarette is associated with "nicotine" which is "bad for you". Actually, nicotine is addictive but it isn't bad for you per se. How many ANTZ fanatics could you get past even that first concept? Arsenic and all the other delights they cram into 1 roll of cigarette tobacco paper are actually very very bad for you, nonetheless the average holier than thou numbskull isn't going to get past the words nicotine, cigarette and bad for you, as to them they are synonomous. However nicotine is being used to treat Alzheimers, Parkinsons and I'm sure many other real medical conditions. Similarly PG is used in asthma inhalers - I'm sure folk will correct me as to the above two statements if I misidentified them. Living in Hawaii, Volcano e-cigs has done extensive advertising plus the Asian population especially are very open to new gadgetry, so I haven't encountered any hostility. If anyone does ask (and most folk just ask if its an electronic cigarette, I tell them its my quit stick. If they want to know more, I'll tell them more. But then being a middle aged female in professional working attire doesn't generally lend itself to my useage being an evil or naughty thingamajig. Most are very impressed by them. A few thoughts for what they're worth...
 

Stonemull

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another easy to fix misconception when giving info to smokers, we gave had a few who get concerned when we suggest 24mg nic .. 'but my cigarettes only have 1mg i don't want to get more addicted'.
So on aussievapers forum we have taken to calling it 2.4% nic, instead of sounding strong, it now sounds mild.
its easier for newer vapers to understand as well.
 

yanivriz

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With diffrent languages, it gets even worse...

for example, in Hebrew, vapor and steam have one word, thus if you say in hebrew that you are "vaping", its as you say in english that you are "steaming", and that sounds very dumb.
thus "smoking" is the only word...


In Hebrew, the term for "edema" is same as "water", so lots of people ask me if vaping (that has water in it) can cause lung edema....
 

KuroCz

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another easy to fix misconception when giving info to smokers, we gave had a few who get concerned when we suggest 24mg nic .. 'but my cigarettes only have 1mg i don't want to get more addicted'.
So on aussievapers forum we have taken to calling it 2.4% nic, instead of sounding strong, it now sounds mild.
its easier for newer vapers to understand as well.

You know, I personally really can't agree with that logic, since it's the same principle as the opposition uses. "If I don't like it or don't undestand , spin your language so I agree with you or don't oppose you." If you normally say it's 24mg, say 24mg, if you normally say it's 2.4%, which is correct too, say that. But I'd never say 2.4% just because it will be easier to accept by an ignoramous.

But in a conversation I'd say 'yeah it's an e-cig, sorta like a asthma inhaler' and if they're some ____ that watches _____ and believes everything _____ says, then I'll just walk away. If they comment that 'well isn't that a high amount' or 'isn't that more dangerous' , that's a perfect opportunity to explain why it's a lot safer than smoking.

Classic Movie Line #15 - YouTube
 
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