The dialogue continues... and we are in a unique position to educate

[Vwls]

On Facebook:

ME: Looks like the Diacetyl Scare was blown way out of proportion: Diacetyl in Electronic Cigarettes: What you need to know: http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/a...etyl-comparison-eliquid-cigarettes.htmlRandom

FB Response: If you just gave it up completely there'd be nothing to worry about.

ME: I thought for a while how best to respond. Because I was a smoker since I was a teenager, and for me it was life-altering to quit. Because for me, vaping was the end of certain early death, disease, and tragedy for my family. vaping changed my life and is changing so many lives... every day.

I found vaping purposefully, and in the beginning, did not think it could "make me quit" smoking. But it did. Because I was determined. And because it is the perfect cessation plan. Because my daughter looked at me with her big brown eyes one day and said to me "don't you want to be around to see me grow up, graduate college, and get married... have children of my own?" And in that moment, I knew that I was too old to smoke. That EVERYONE is too old to smoke.

What I have learned is that vaping is truly SAVING LIVES. It did save mine.

This last month, my father was diagnosed with throat cancer - stage 4. I wish SO much that vaping was around back when he was socking away a pack a day. There can be no greater tragedy than to watch someone die because of cigarettes.

Vaping is yet misunderstood in the media and lawmakers have not grasped the research. There are big business interests working overtime to cloud the body of knowledge. But in time, this will change and the truth will be known to everyone. And in the interim, I can tell you that I am proud to vape and proud to help others to put down their cigarettes and follow me.

I will continue to vape, even as my nicotine levels have dropped to nearly zero. Because I am overjoyed that FINALLY there is an answer - for one of the most devastating addictions in the world. Vaping is nearly perfect, and becoming more so all the time as technology perfects the science. Vaping is the future and you'll see it coming soon to a neighborhood near you to save people you care about.

Cheers.

 

[Vwls]

My thought was that we all have this conversation, or one very close to it, all the time... with people who don't understand vaping. They see it as "another kind of smoking" and our move from cigarettes to vaping as just another way we are not taking care of ourselves.

"If you just gave it up completely..." is the mantra.

I wondered how all of you respond to this from your loved ones and coworkers, or if you even entertain the conversation.

 

[wshanncap]

You are right. So many people connect vaping and smoking in such a way that they see them as the same and equally dangerous. The lobbyists for the tobacco companies are compounding the problem with so much propaganda about vaping being more harmful than smoking. We do need to educate people on the vast differences. I know I would still be 2 packs a day if it wasn't for vaping. Thanks for posting. God bless.

 

[DeathBYzombieZ]

Vaping is great and I love it but only time can tell us how dangerous it actually is.

 

[bluecat]

To my wife... If she gives up wine and I would give up vaping.
To my kids.. if they give up being lazy I would give up vaping.

Guess what? They didn't give up their vices. Find a vice of theirs and ask them to stop. See what happens.

Friends? pffft.. They know better... Family? Pffft.. they know better too.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Vwls, I'm so sorry about your father. Life really sucks sometimes. I see people with oxygen tanks sometimes, an aunt had one but I kept right on smoking, and dearly wish vaping had been around decades ago. So much misery could have been avoided.

I pretty much have a spiel ready to go but no one has said a dumb thing to me yet. I'm sure the day will come.

ETA Link doesn't work.

 

[MamaRymes]

Sigh. I'm weary of this conversation, or the "I thought you quit" comment when folks see me vaping. I've mostly given up. I tell them that I'm gonna do me and they can do them and let's leave it at that.

 

[EvlSmrk]

Occasionally have similar conversations, but usually from family who just don't know anything about it. After a bit of discussion, they're either embracing it and thankful for the knowledge or indifferent but still better educated. All of them are happy I'm not smoking any more, and the ones who still smoke are now looking more into it...even if they know it's not something they want to try. The part that kicks me is that some people have even said that they can't afford to get into vaping...even with me giving them ideas for basic starter kits. Oh well...we try.

 

[DC2]

I wondered how all of you respond to this from your loved ones and coworkers, or if you even entertain the conversation.

How I respond to this kind of nonsense depends on the audience, how much I like them, and whether or not their future involvement in my life is important.
But regardless of how I decide to respond in any given situation, one thing I will NEVER do is just let it slide.

It's way too important to let slide.

 

[Zanderist]

Vaping is great and I love it but only time can tell us how dangerous it actually is.

I was told once this "Don't you think that they are going to find out how bad it is for you as time goes on?"

The only reply, which I didn't say, "Don't you medical technology is also going to advance to deal with this?"