Thanks ECF!

[JaasS]

I've been browsing ECF for months for information but just decided to create an account and join the conversations. I had been experimenting with vaping since it was first introduced to the U.S.. I was really intrigued by the technology but wasn't satisfied enough to put down the analogs. After doing tons of research on ECF I finally found the right setup and have been analog free for over 7 months . So I just wanted to get some opinions on what the community thought about the term "electronic cigarette". I've seen a few discussions about this and was surprised to find that the majority of vapers thought refering to our devices as e-cigs is a good thing. I COMPLETELY disagree. I believe we should all avoid any association with traditional cigarettes. There is obviously a very potent stigma that comes with cigarettes. The only thing our devices have in common with cigarettes is the delivery of nicotine, which isn't even always the case (ex. zero nicotine liquid). I try my best, when asked about my PV, to refer to it as a vaporizer. I've noticed that doing this helps people inquiring about it to be more open-minded. I understand why you would want to appeal to current smokers from a business perspective but I think we're shooting ourselves in the foot in the long run. Just look at the FDA's recent classification of these devices as "tobacco products". I think that's ludacris and a direct result of how these devices are marketed. The industry is involved in a battle of hearts and minds and using that kind of terminology is only giving our opponents more ammunition. Anyway, that's my two-cents. What do you think?

 

[ocdetails]

You have to look at the government's perspective on it though. Think of how much money they make in the taxing of traditional cigarettes. I do a lot of business in the Philippines and cigarettes are ridiculously cheap there. I mean INSANELY cheap. A pack of Marlboro menthols cost me 23 pesos at the 7-11 next to my hotel. Their conversion was about 43 pesos per dollar this summer, so that was just over $.50 cents a pack!! It is not wonder everybody smokes over there. Anyway, if the government is getting four or five bucks a pack off our habits, then there is no wonder that they would resist anything that would replace cigarettes. It's all about taxes and less about the good of the citizens.

 

[leftfeild]

Here where I live in the UK I don't think it matters what I call it. I could say it's a cancer free reduced risk nicotine nebuliser for the use of direct inhalation... or just call it an electronic cigarette and everyone would think I was crazy either way. Usually they ask what that pipe thing is I'm using, then refer to it as that pipe thing no matter what I say it is until they leave, still thinking it's actually called a pipe thing.

Maybe someday I'll be able to call it a vaporiser and it'll have less of a knee jerk reaction than electronic cigarette. Until then I'll call it this pipe thing like everyone else to avoid confusion haha. I think it's because everyone, EVERYONE, still smokes here and to them, I guess, making an electric version of the greatly popular cigarette is just too far out there.

Welcome to ECF anyway. I did the same thing and hung around reading for a fair while before I made an account. Great place!

 

[JaasS]

Here where I live in the UK I don't think it matters what I call it. I could say it's a cancer free reduced risk nicotine nebuliser for the use of direct inhalation... or just call it an electronic cigarette and everyone would think I was crazy either way. Usually they ask what that pipe thing is I'm using, then refer to it as that pipe thing no matter what I say it is until they leave, still thinking it's actually called a pipe thing.

Maybe someday I'll be able to call it a vaporiser and it'll have less of a knee jerk reaction than electronic cigarette. Until then I'll call it this pipe thing like everyone else to avoid confusion haha. I think it's because everyone, EVERYONE, still smokes here and to them, I guess, making an electric version of the greatly popular cigarette is just too far out there.

Welcome to ECF anyway. I did the same thing and hung around reading for a fair while before I made an account. Great place!

Thanks for the welcome. It's been my impression that the U.K. has been more accepting of these devices than the U.S. overall. That's from the little I've read about it anyway. Here in the U.S. it's becoming a battle and a lot of local government agencies have started to try and ban them. I think that educating people on why these devices are NOT like a cigarette is one of the best things I can do to contribute to the fight. I know that may seem a little dramatic but I think these things are saving my life and I want people to understand why I feel that way. Again, thanks for the welcome.

 

[dormouse]

Well, classified as tobacco products, they are leaving us alone, they don't need a prescription like a nicotine vaporizer does. I don't care what you call it but I don't want it to be something prescribed with sky-high prices lining the pockets of the pharm industry.

That said - PV confuses many new vapers (especially since some countries and rebranders call the atomizer the vaporizer) and some new vapers call it VP or don't understand what they are being told. Ecig they understand.

 

[Huffelpuff]

My 2 cents? I met someone who told me that they were quitting cigarettes - get it. They told me the next week that they bought ecigarettes - I understood that. Finally they said it's not a cigarette it's a Pv or Personal Vaporizer. I could only relate to the thing that I used to keep in my kid's rooms when they were ill - sounded kinda nutty.

For people who are merely curious, I just tell them that it is a "fake cigarette" to help me quit analogs.

I get the dissassociation thing but think PV is a bit of a stretch outside of our community.

 

[WVvet]

Someone said it before and it made sense to me: To an analog smoker it's "E-cig" to a non-smoker its a Personal Vaporizer or PV. lol.
But I agree with the OP - don't like anything associated with smokes/smoking. Don't really dig PV either but we gotta call it something besides "my little friend".

 

[madjack]

I tell 'em it's a personal vaporizer and when I get that deer in the headlight look, I say...you know, an electronic cig and the light goes on...I don't think it matters what the general public calls it as long as we continue to educate them on what it is......
madjack

p.s. just don't call it a Personal Electronic Nicotine Inhalation System..........mj

 

[JaasS]

My 2 cents? I met someone who told me that they were quitting cigarettes - get it. They told me the next week that they bought ecigarettes - I understood that. Finally they said it's not a cigarette it's a Pv or Personal Vaporizer. I could only relate to the thing that I used to keep in my kid's rooms when they were ill - sounded kinda nutty.

For people who are merely curious, I just tell them that it is a "fake cigarette" to help me quit analogs.

I get the dissassociation thing but think PV is a bit of a stretch outside of our community.

I would actually call it a fake cigarette before electronic. When asked, I actually use that Vicks vaporizer thing you're talking about as an example. If you ask me it's more similar to that than a cigarette.

 

[JaasS]

Someone said it before and it made sense to me: To an analog smoker it's "E-cig" to a non-smoker its a Personal Vaporizer or PV. lol.
But I agree with the OP - don't like anything associated with smokes/smoking. Don't really dig PV either but we gotta call it something besides "my little friend".

I agree that PV maybe isn't the best term. I'm hoping some new hip term gets popular like NicStik or something lol. You're absolutely right about the difference between smokers and non-smokers. When trying to convert my analog friends, I do make comparisons to analogs. But, that's mostly just because I'll say almost anything to get them to stop smoking

 

[JaasS]

Well, classified as tobacco products, they are leaving us alone, they don't need a prescription like a nicotine vaporizer does. I don't care what you call it but I don't want it to be something prescribed with sky-high prices lining the pockets of the pharm industry.

That said - PV confuses many new vapers (especially since some countries and rebranders call the atomizer the vaporizer) and some new vapers call it VP or don't understand what they are being told. Ecig they understand.

I get that the classification as a tobacco product was actually less harmful than what the FDA was actually pushing for, but I'm not going to be satisfied until these things are treated as the potentially life-saving devices they are.