The next generation of vapers

[Jode]

Hi all,

I would like to start a discussion of what we think about the path of the next generation of vapers is or will be. I have seen a lot of new threads being started where the newbie is a person that has not begun to smoke (cigs, cigars or anything tobacco related) nor vape. They have come in to ask about vaping as a viable choice for a variety of reasons. Some sound a bit juvenile while others come across as well thought out pleas for help. I understand that most here vape to avoid another smoking habit but what about the future? Try to keep your minds open and realize that people are always going to seek out ways to find an escape whether that be smoking, drinking, eating bags of chips, extreme sports, or even vaping. How should or could we advise them without sounding like we are trying to attract the kids into this world? To me it seems obvious that if they are here asking questions they are thinking of trying out something to help them with whatever they feel they need help with otherwise they would be out doing something else. So what are the thoughts here folks? Also try to remember what it is like to be that teen or young adult and what may have actually helped you.

My thoughts are this.... I would think I would be blind to think that nobody is going to ever smoke, vape or choose escapes after us so this is my approach. I try to find out as much as I can about the poster and why they have come seeking advice. If I see that the are struggling with their decision I try to guide them to speak with somebody they trust or love. If I see they have another healthier escape I try to lead them toward that. I try every other avenue but in the end if it still seems they are leaning toward the vape I request that they learn all they can about safety here and wish them a hearty welcome. I am not saying it is the only way, nor the right way. It is the reason I ask because I want others to chime in.

Have at it with respect for others please.

 

[HauntedMyst]

I am squarely not in the "vaping is only for smoking cessation" camp. If an adult who didn't smoke wants to vape, they aren't any different from any of us. If someone asks a question, I answer it but I don't see being on a forum as being here to be someones guidance counselor or find out their motives behind vaping. My assumption, perhaps ignorantly so, is that if someone is here asking about vaping then they are an adult able to make their own choices and don't need me to lean them away from vaping. I haven't seen anything in the vaping world that's targeting teens to attract them to vaping anymore than it does to adults. Teens certainly don't belong here.

 

[mattiem]

My thoughts---some pre-adults are going to smoke. If they are going to do it I would much rather they vape instead of starting a life long habit of smoking. I personally think it would be easier to stop vaping than it is to stop smoking and I think we can all agree at this point that vaping is much healthier than smoking. JMHO

 

[WonderDude32]

I started smoking as a teen as did my father and his father. I was the first to break the chain and move to vaping. Now I have two girls and they see me vape daily. I don't know if they will follow my lead and start a bad habit but I do have the power to educate them of the dangers and potential harm. I think of these things in the way gun owners should practice safety. Education and talking about things doesn't lead others to experiment, it leads to understanding and possible prevention.

 

[WattWick]

The timing of this thread... as I just watched Mad Max

The next generation of vapers will be the vaping equivalent of this:

 

[Hans Wermhat]

You both make good points. We shouldn't encourage people to start a habit, ever, but folks are gonna do what folks are gona do. That being so, we should give them the best advice we can and let them make their own decisions.

 

[Jode]

By teens I am referring to 18/19 and they do have a right to be here, although I am one that thinks a better age to spearhead smoking is early tweens/teens; that thought seems too taboo here and I don't want to argue. I would also like to hear from those that believe we should be turning them away and why they feel that way. I am just curious how others see the direction of the vaping community. If they see it as a continued avenue for those that have a choice to pick vaping over smoking or other vice, before starting said habit? Or if people think it is a thing exclusive for only those already addicted and will phase out eventually. Or one more.... If they think a person should first become addicted to cigarettes then come here. All opinions welcome. I know there are a lot of opinions out there because I have been questioned previously on my advice to new members of ECF that are not previous smokers, and it is quite alright to question, in fact I welcome it as long as it is respectful. I know you are out there so please come share how we can approach this without coming off as appealing to children. Thanks to those that have answered thus far.

 

[Jdurand]

Jode,
What an interesting post. I was not even giving this any real thought before. Is vaping a smoking cessation method, a smoking replacement therapy or a new vice all in it's own category? I guess we all just have to say to ourselves, which would we rather our kids do, smoke, vape or neither....isn't that really the debate?

 

[roxynoodle]

I used to discourage nonsmokers from taking up vaping. However, I've had a change of heart because:

1. Prior to ecigs these same folks may have taken up smoking instead. All of us here had that inclination to begin smoking for whatever reasons.

2. Even if they use nicotine, apparently its not addictive to never smokers. It does increase concentration and focus, and may even have other benefits like preventing Parkinson's.

3. I have a digestive disease. Vaping does allow me some satisfaction from flavors I can no longer eat (fruit and desserts). So maybe it does help others from eating junk foods?

 

[Jode]

I am squarely not in the "vaping is only for smoking cessation" camp. If an adult who didn't smoke wants to vape, they aren't any different from any of us. If someone asks a question, I answer it but I don't see being on a forum as being here to be someones guidance counselor or find out their motives behind vaping. My assumption, perhaps ignorantly so, is that if someone is here asking about vaping then they are an adult able to make their own choices and don't need me to lean them away from vaping. I haven't seen anything in the vaping world that's targeting teens to attract them to vaping anymore than it does to adults. Teens certainly don't belong here.

I hear you. I don't expect others to do the guidance thing. I am a mom and Grammy so this angle works for me. My adult daughter teases me because over the years when one of her friends have come to me to talk, I always start off by asking "What do your parents think?" This is just the way I do things. I want to try to see if I can get to a point of better understanding before I dole out advice. I like your point that anybody here has come for a reason and that is to seek information on e-cigs, hence e-cig forum and not "quit smoking now forum". I was referring to the later teens 18/19 but that is because this age seems to be the norm for being considered adult. Thanks for your input

 

[Jode]

Jode,
What an interesting post. I was not even giving this any real thought before. Is vaping a smoking cessation method, a smoking replacement therapy or a new vice all in it's own category? I guess we all just have to say to ourselves, which would we rather our kids do, smoke, vape or neither....isn't that really the debate?

More or less, but that is the personal parental debate. I am asking about how we approach new comers here that have not smoked in the past. Do we advise and teach or send them packing. If we advise how do we avoid it coming off as luring them in? Thanks for your input ( gonna put this in sig )

 

[tj99959]

I would suggest that the number of people trying a cigarette for the very first time are declining. (speculation)
I would also suggest that the number of people trying something for the very first time has remained constant.

I would also suggest that the age that someone tries something for the very first time is statistically a moot issue. (it makes no difference if the person is 16 or 60, they still tried it for the first time)

 

[Jode]

I used to discourage nonsmokers from taking up vaping. However, I've had a change of heart because:

1. Prior to ecigs these same folks may have taken up smoking instead. All of us here had that inclination to begin smoking for whatever reasons.

2. Even if they use nicotine, apparently its not addictive to never smokers. It does increase concentration and focus, and may even have other benefits like preventing Parkinson's.

3. I have a digestive disease. Vaping does allow me some satisfaction from flavors I can no longer eat (fruit and desserts). So maybe it does help others from eating junk foods?

Thanks, for your thoughts. I too had a change of heart once I really looked at the whole picture. The more we talk about this fanastic alternative the more we can learn and maybe make it so everybody has access to choices regardless of what brings them to that crossroads.

 

[Jode]

The timing of this thread... as I just watched Mad Max

The next generation of vapers will be the vaping equivalent of this:

Funny and probably. Thank you

 

[Jdurand]

Ok, so maybe the analogy of kids, of which I have none, is the wrong way to put it. You are right, that is a parental debate. I would say the best advice to a never smoker considering vaping would be something like this.

If I had to choose between smoking and vaping, I would vape. If I had the power to have never done either of them, that would be my best option. I would also warn them they are playing with something potentially addictive, just like smoking is.

If I had not smoked, there is a 99% chance I would never have started vaping. No matter how hard I try I can't gain in myself the perspective of how a non smoker views vaping. Maybe a never smoker can chime in here to illustrate the attraction.

 

[Jode]

I would suggest that the number of people trying a cigarette for the very first time are declining. (speculation)
I would also suggest that the number of people trying something for the very first time has remained constant.

I would also suggest that the age that someone tries something for the very first time is statistically a moot issue. (it makes no difference if the person is 16 or 60, they still tried it for the first time)

So would you lend advice to that person?

 

[Jdurand]

Heads up. This exact topic has a new thread in the new members section right now. I am not going to reply in it and just watch where it goes.

 

[puddinman]

I'm one of those who was never a cigarette smoker - I grew up with smoking parents and absolutely hated it. As an adult, in my mid 30s, I tried cigars and enjoyed them but not the aftermath. I like the effects of nicotine, just as I like the effects of caffeine and alcohol.

Vaping allows me to enjoy that with much less risk. I don't see any reason to stop adults or even pre teens from starting vaping anymore than we would coffee. A stigma about vaping exists because of its association with smoking. But it is NOT smoking. It is an entirely different process that only shares superficial similarities to cigarettes. It should be treated as something different, I think.

 

[Scootaloo]

Well I’m personally all for none-smokers taking up vaping if there the legal age.


Some people make the personal descion to do stuff like smoke or vape etc and if they pick vaping instead then it’s great they choose not to do smoking, plus it’d be hypocritical of me to say only us ex-smokers should do vaping.


As for people asking for advice etc, I suppose it depends on the context and the information they present in there questions and posts etc and would prehaps have a slightly different ansrew each time.

 

[Jode]

Heads up. This exact topic has a new thread in the new members section right now. I am not going to reply in it and just watch where it goes.

Thanks I was unaware sorry for repeat topic.