The MOST ridiculous conversation....

[stummies]

Well, I'm sure I may ruffle a few feathers here, but calling it vapor instead of smoking is arguing semantics. It's like me telling someone my computer is better than theirs when all they use it for is web browsing... as far as they are concerned they're the same thing. Someone who is anti smoking may not like smoking for a range of reasons, one being the carcinogens being inhaled, another being addiction. We are trading one method of enabling an addiction for another, there is no "kinda" about it. Even if we are going about it in a healthier way there is a horrible stigma with having a chemical addiction, and not just plain stopping the behavior. It is vapor, it isn't nearly as harmful, but it still isn't considered "right".

Now I'd argue that there is no problem with having an addiction of some kind, as many people point out almost everyone has an addiction, be it video games, drugs, nicotine, caffeine, prescriptions, hobbies, alcohol, etc... and some people do push it too far which is where the negative attitude comes from. I'm happy I found a way to continue to consume nicotine without the ill health effects (so far) and never had any intentions of quitting even when I did try, and honestly could give a flyin F if someone else has a critical opinion of this. Call it denial, call it a disease, call it whatever you want to call it, but in the end I'm not harming anybody including now myself.

You sound like you tried your best to explain it, not everyone can or will agree with decisions you make, but your brother is right that you are still smoking even if it's better for you.

 

[reko]

I've had a lot of people tell me that vaping doesn't count as me quitting smoking. They just don't know what they're talking about. My stepdad and I have both quit smoking and have taken up vaping as an alternative. Our family is way happier, as are we. Healthier lives and more money in our pockets, just in time for the holidays!

 

[MizChappy]

@ Stummies LOL yes you are absolutely correct, I chose to switch to a "less lethal" way to continue my personal addiction. Maybe I didn't explain it too well because I shortened the conversation which would have surely made my post pages long but my brothers issue is that in his mind it was smoke coming out of the e-cig and that the "smoke" was in no way a less damaging alternative to the analogs and that he personally finds the mere mention of smoking personally offensive. I was mostly frustrated because he wouldn't accept that by my switching to vaping would make me healthier than using analogs and that I am just weak because I couldn't/wouldn't just quit. However, My family doc did say that he was changing my chart to non-smoker with a note that I was still intaking nicotine with vapor LOL
It's all semantics po-tay-to po-tah-to.

@ reko hahaha Ive gotten so obsessed I dont think Ive saved any money for christmas LOL =)

 

[Stosh]

Opinions can be slow to change, my SO was ecstatic I quit analogs, but at first was VERY sceptical,
"you're using that thing so often", "you're constantly sucking on that thing", "you're not going to
actually smoke that thing in public" (outside on the street!) "you're always fooling with that thing"

Fast forward a few months, I'm vaping Black-Jack Gum, and "smells interesting but can't tell what it is"
So you want to try a hit, she did and "OHHHH that's good"
Well I can get you some in 0 nicotine!
"Nooo, that's too tempting!!"

 

[reko]

@mizchappy - very true! I'm getting really into them thanks to my boyfriend (who got me into them in the first place, and is showing me all these cool things for them). So we'll see Still cheaper in the long run though, gotta admit it!

@Stosh - my boyfriend always lets our friends try all his and they sit there puffing on them for a while. They all love em!

 

[MizChappy]

I think I'm going to collect several 0mg tasty flavors just for that purpose

 

[Nashy08]

Congratz on being analog free! Just ignore him, how you feel is all that matters! Keep on vaping!

 

[reko]

Yup! Haha. Since I only have my one, I just pass it around to let them try my flavors since they're different than his, but they love em! I never thought I would ever be smoking an e-cig, but my boyfriend sells them and got me to get one (my mom bought it for me for Christmas). Best Christmas gift ever (especially compared to last year's from my stepdad... a carton of marb 54's!)

 

[mlinky]

Time to get a new brother. Your's isn't programmed correctly.

LOL! That almost ruined my keyboard.

 

[JTman]

Congrats on your success so far! When I started vaping about 6 weeks ago my wife told her parents that I quit smoking by using e-cigs. They scoffed at that and basically said "thats silly, he's still smoking" They are a family of super health freaks and none of them have probably ever touched tobacco. It seems to me that anyone who has never smoked just doesn't get it.

My family (all smokers or ex-smokers) are all extremely happy and excited for me. My mom has sought my help in finding something that my dad might actually use to help him quit. My in-laws (all non-smokers) still look down on me just as much as if I had a lit cigarette hanging from my mouth even though It doesnt smell and isnt killing me. I might even bring up the argument that the few hundred MG of nic I consume per week is far less dangerous than the case of beer per week my Father in law consumes (but I would't dare stir up that bee-hive).

You just gotta do what works for you! Everyone else can shove it. I just don't even bring it up around them anymore. Its easy enough to stealth vape even in their own bathroom if I want to.

 

[alisab]

Hi,

I'd have a hard time listening to your narrow minded brother. Well said: "It seems to me that anyone who has never smoked just doesn't get it."

I don't know how old you are but when I started smoking there was no discussion about addiction, no warnings - then it was a simple pleasure. I have quit smoking on and off through the years - it is hard yes, but harder because I like smoking - if not for the health issues we now know about I wouldn't even consider stopping. I have just started vapeing and am still smoking (less yes) funny thing is, I am beginning to like the vaping better than the smoke taste! Now that is a great thing - and eventually I believe I will stop smoking completely - and painlessly.

I guess today smoking = addiction / health loss - it is wrong: Stummies comment, "It is vapor, it isn't nearly as harmful, but it still isn't considered "right"." Well, I guess. I understand that but I do not see why vapeing isn't "right" (I understand Stummies that you aren't necessarily saying that). I think pleasure has a value - and I am glad this one has less risk involved.

 

[kittypink]

Just ignore your brother. Some people are just so negative.
I also come from a family of non-smokers but they're not health nuts.
The other day I showed my mother my e-cig and made her take a drag even though she's never smoked anything in her life.
My uncle (another one who never smoked before) also asked to take a puff, and they both thought it was so cool.

 

[toriL]

Just try to ignore your brother.

I was one of those smokers who smoked because I enjoyed smoking. I never thought I'd quit. My husband knew I was a smoker when he married me, yet has bashed me and bugged me about it for the last 14 yrs. Even though I never smoked inside or around our kids, he enlisted them to plead and beg me to quit. He hated my smoking and the money it cost.

I found ecigs last Feb, and have been vaping since. Now he hates that I vape. He still complains about the $ I spend on vaping.

I think he just isn't happy unless he has something to ..... and complain about. At least my kids are happy that I switched!

 

[Baji]

Maybe he'll notice if your health & stamina improves. I've been smoke free for nearly 6 years, but I still struggle when I try to run a few miles.

 

[cobaltblue]

Time to get a new brother. Your's isn't programmed correctly.

Read to page 4 and this is still cracking me up.

Sad, but sounds like your brother is just looking for a reason to put you down. If you feel like trying with him again, maybe in the middle of one of his "same old" responses you could just do a 180 and start talking to the wall. Not only will it leave him speechless for a sec...convincing the wall might be easier. lol

 

[MizChappy]

LMAO! Ok with my odd sense of humor this is perfect.

 

[757girl]

Your brother is one reason why I love forums such as these. Alot of people have some family members that act the same way and this forum is a great support system. We all have been through the analog thing so we all share something and want to help each other. So anytime your brother or family member is pestering you, just ignore him and come to the forum and read some success stories. Come vent, laugh and relax!!!

 

[Meggalette]

My sister is this exact same way. Her reaction wasn't "good for you, I'm glad to see you making a healthy change" or even wanting to know how vaping was healthier. She only said "so when are you gonna quit using that thing?" Funny, she used to "social smoke" and had no problem with me smoking regularly until she got pregnant. My point is, some people are so caught up in themselves these days, even those closest to us, that they fail to see when we achieve major success. Congratulations to you and everyone else in the ECF family. Our blood may not care, but we all have each other! Keep up the good work, it gets better everyday!

 

[JonnyVapΣ]

I say 'So what'.
So what if I enjoy vaping. I'm probably past the point of 'need'. I vape because I enjoy it.
I also enjoy hitting the drag races every so often.
I ride a motorcycle.
I eat french fries.
I'll get on a roller coaster.
Given the chance, I'd sky dive.
I drive to work through blizzards.
I have kids.

Yep, normal crap that's not 100% safe.
Isn't life great?

 

[atom48]

I can relate, MizChappy. Talked with my mother the other day, and told her I'd quit smoking and was now vaping. She asked about whether it contained nicotine, and I advised her it did. Her response was that, in that case, I hadn't stopped smoking, and proceeded into the blah, blah, blah...I should just quit cold-turkey, the way she did 20 years ago. My sister is the same way..."roll down the window...I can see it, so it's smoke...."

Some people just don't seem to get it...or should I say, just don't want to get it. Says more about them than you.