Stategy for Saving Lives

[SunmanX]

Over the past 2 months, I myself have been completely smoke free since the day my first ecig package arrived in the mail. During these 2 months, I've helped 6 people stop smoking. I wish I could say 10 but some folks just don't quite understand the benefits of vaping over smoking. I know I'm not the vaping encyclopedia but I'd like to think I can be pretty knowledgeable on both subjects. I'll inform them of the health benefits, explain how it works, tell them that it's not exactly the same as smoking and they will have some minor things to overcome, and that while yes you can get a tobacco flavor it will not taste like the combustable version of tobacco they are used to. One person asked me about the FDA report regarding diethylene glycol and how dangerous it is, to which I replied, it was found as a small impurity in 1 of 18 samples tested by a non reputable manufacturer (not sure how much truth is in that statement but I tried to sum it up best I could). I suppose the word "antifreeze" is what deferred their decision to leave vaping be and continue smoking. I bit my tongue but I wanted to say, you'd rather smoke something with thousands of deadly chemicals like arsenic than vape water and nicotine? But I didn't. The LAST thing I want to come off as, are those arrogant egotistical and sometimes hypocritical anti-smoking activists. I remember growing up, I'd meet people who would pound you with "You must go to church and get your life right with God or you will basically die and go to hell". While yes I have a relationship with God now, I was so turned off at the idea of religion as a kid because of people like that. With that being said, I was a smoker, I still am a smoker just like an alcoholic considers themselves always an alcoholic, just "recovered". I know how hard it is to quit and I would never harp on someone who has failed quitting. So I guess my question to everyone is:

What strategies do you implement when talking with someone who genuinely wants to stop smoking and has questions regarding electronic cigarettes?


sidenote: the religious part is to represent an analogy of the stereotypical hardcore idealist, not to start a debate on religion, so please don't stray from the vaping topic, thanks =)

 

[sawlight]

If they ask I answer all the questions in and excited manner, and tell them how well it's worked for me, if they continue to ask I break out a new carto and let them try it themselves. Most are blown away.
I then give them a card and tell them to avoid the junk in the malls and go with this company, V4L. Then walk away.

 

[SunmanX]

I guess the reason I bring this question to the table is this.

A contractor that works for us stopped by the other day at my office. Great guy, known him for awhile now. He's a big fella, probably 100+ lbs overweight and smokes like a train. Always hacking and smells terrible. He's probably in his mid 50's. He said he stopped by his DR last week and the DR told him if he didn't lose weight and stop smoking, he would be dead in 2 years. Yes I know DR's are sometime loopy but he looks and sounds terrible. Age might be a factor since he's been smoking for 30+ years, but he had absolutely no inquiry after showing him my ecig. Not an inkling of wanting to hear about it. How do you get thru to these people. They're so set in their ways, that there is no other way. It's saddening and really brings on a feeling of helplessness when the answer is right there in front of you. Do patches work? Rarely. Do pills work? Sometimes but what other health risks do you take on. Does therapy work? Probably not likely.

 

[SunmanX]

If they ask I answer all the questions in and excited manner, and tell them how well it's worked for me, if they continue to ask I break out a new carto and let them try it themselves. Most are blown away.
I then give them a card and tell them to avoid the junk in the malls and go with this company, V4L. Then walk away.

This strategy actually works quite well, but in my experiences mostly with a certain age group, around 20-30. Older folks won't go near it to even sample it. It's annoying but I try to stay excited and I do elaborate on how well it's helped me.

 

[ALC]

That's a tough one. My family and friends that smoke had me go first and figure everything out.

1. Point out cost. If that isn't a good enough reason to start vaping I don't know what is. I see that cigs are going up like 1.00 to 2.00 across the US. Where I live they are already 6.50 a pack (name brands) now they could be 8.00 here in Ohio. Are you freaking kidding me. That news alone just added 2 new friends of family to come and try mine this weekend. I have my friends in Florida that have known about this and been lazy finally off their butts and calling to get started.

2. The chemicals in e-liquid: I think the fear from many is that most e-liquids come from China. It is a blow that most people cannot get past. It freaked me out at first, but then I weighed the certain death from cigs to the maybe a little stuff here and there in e-liquid hmmmm.... I'll take door #2.

3. The smell: This was my 2nd reason for quiting. You can vape anywhere. If you live in northern states, going out in steady 10 degree weather for a fix is not my idea of a good time.

4. Third-class citizenship: I was over the looks, stares, etc. Honestly, just because you can hide your vice doesn't make you better. No what I mean? I won't even go more into that one because it just aggrevates me to no end.

5. Ask a doctor. My 1 aunt was hesitant and her doctor said go for it. He said anything is better than a cig. I know not every doctor is on board, but a lot of people will listen to their docs more than anyone else, so the right one may be a catalyst. There are members who are doctors, nurses, etc. I can tell you that I did not get bronchitis this winter and that was a huge biggy for me since I use to get it at least every winter.

6. Convienance: This is a tuffy because I have a few friends that say it is too much trouble. I told them that once you get use to it and learn the tricks (ECF forum) it is not that big of a deal.

7. I've learned menthol smokers are the easiest to convert because you can get so close to the flavor you are use to in analogs but even better. The reg tobacco ones are a little hesitant when I explain the taste thing as well. I just tell them to try vanilla. For some reason that flavor appeases the biggest population. It kinda goes along with the candle theory that vanilla is one of the few scents that most people do not find that offensive.

 

[Stephra]

Don't market it as QUITTING smoking, sell it as CLEANER smoking. No more dirty ashtrays. No more stinky clothes. No more burn holes. All the same "smoking" enjoyment.

To be fair, though, some people just aren't going to be swayed. Save the hard sell for loved ones; otherwise, toss out a line and see if he bites. If not... well, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. My boss is one who won't be swayed. *shrugs* What can you do?

 

[bornagainst]

I think you have the right idea Steph.

When my friends who smoke ask about it, I ask them, "can you smell it?" That piques the interest.

Once I tell them how I vape in bed and the other half is none the wiser....well, they LOVE that....but they just don't believe in the technology. What can you do, really?

All I know is that going from a pack and a half a day to this? It's a treat, man!

 

[Pav]

ALC has some real good reasons. I use these too but I stress that burning anything has carcinogens and that is where the real danger lies. That to me is the real benefit of vaping. No carcinogens.

The qualms about something coming from China are understandable, and while there could be a small possibility that vaping has some danger, it pales in comparison to the fact that it is a 100% undisputable fact that cigarettes are killers.

 

[FisherPal]

That's a tough one sometimes. I've given out three complete starter kits - one to a family member and two to friends. All seemed genuinely interested in giving vaping a shot after seeing or hearing me and how wonderful it is but, sad to say, none of them really gave it a go after. Kind of discouraging but still hope that one day they will look at the kit again and go ... hmmm ... maybe I'll give that another shot. All you can do, I believe, it tell them honestly why you vape, what health benefits you have seen, answer any questions as best you can and refer them to this forum for more info. If they are genuinely looking for an alternative, I believe that the combination of your input and what they find here will help them make the decision. If not ... well there is nothing you can really do about that either.

 

[Joe Camel]

praise jeebus.

 

[Belletrist]

as said above, i don't push it as quitting smoking. i just talk about what's great about vaping. that it's more convenient, cleaner, tastier, etc. and my #1 strategy is to send 'em home with a batt, charger, and a handful of carts to play with.

i 'sell' it as a toy and convenience--a gadget. if someone's having fun with it enough to use it for fun and pleasure (and remember being a smoker? quitting didn't sound like fun or pleasure) then they'll play with it enough to start decreasing their need for nic from cigs.

 

[jeffree]

I'm lazy. I let them come to me. I think of it kind of like religion--without that initial interest, conversion seems unlikely. (P.S. I'm not very religious.)

I then give out business cards and sometimes a cheat sheet that I wrote up to help people order the first time. As I've mentioned elsewhere, V4L could help us all out by have some 'instructions and suggestions for newbies' on the website. People tell me how confusing the site is at first, and I remember feeling exactly the same way. Too many choices and not enough guidance.

 

[Brandnew vper]

I guess Im like a walking sales person. I dont try to get peoples intrest but if they ask i answer thier questions. I noticed in the beginning i was over selling it. Because i turned people off with the jargon and too much info. Now i just say well i dont smell i dont feel like crap i can smoke inside just about anywhere and the flavor taste a lot better. A plus is the variety i have noticed. But with any addiction no one is going to stop until there ready. Like ...... addicts even if you tell them there is methadone and subaxone they still dont wanna stop even though it is much easier with those drugs. Just like vaping even though there is nicotine some people just wont stop because its easier. Plus I would make sure you pitch it as an alternative not a cessation device to help the cause.


Vape on and help those who ask!
love you guys!

 

[Brandnew vper]

Also i notice elders are turned off because they dont get it and it seems like a video game system to them they just wont understand. Not saying they are dumb its just my experience with my grandma and her friends. That confusion turns them off. But all we can do is vape ourselves and help anyone who is intrested right?

 

[sawlight]

I did have an interesting experience a couple of weeks ago. I went to the bar for a bit and there was a couple, early sixties late fifties, and she started asking and asking and asking about it. I explained it to her and showed her how it all worked. She was just giddy! I opened my PCC pulled out a fresh batt and a new carto, assembled them and said here, try it.
The husband who had been so intrigued the entire time all of the sudden goes off! "She doesn't need to try that, she doesn't need that crap, hell she's already got too much crap!" Just really got nasty! I picked up my stuff, put it away and left it alone!
You just never know!

 

[lonercom]

I usually lend my PCC with a fresh carto to anyone that expresses interest. After a few days I ask for it back. One of my colleagues and his wife are now V4Lers and a few might just come around.

I would never bring vaping up to someone that I don't know very well.

 

[CES]

people are skeptical- I know i was. a coworker told me about them, a couple of times, demonstrated, let me take a drag, but i didn't taste anything. I was intrigued, he's always got something new and kind of strange going. makes for great stories, but usually not something i want to try at home. Anyway, he sent me the link to the ECF, said you really need to research it, they're not for everyone. I'm just a wee bit oppositional, so the idea that they're not for everyone helped. I did the research and ordered. so now when someone's interested, i give them both the V4L card and a link to the ECF and/or to the wonderful world of vaping thread. I tell them that it worked for me (smoke-free for more than 2 months), but that i had no intention of quitting, and they need to do the research.