The next generation of vapers
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First I would point out that contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a crime. So that's out.
Much of the time the non-smokers perception of vaping is so different than mine that my advice would be of no value. So it depends on the type of questions they have.
I generally withhold judgement on most things. However, if I could go back and find my 18 year old self, I'd kick him in the .....
As a long term heavy smoker with 3 daughters, I've gone out of my way to try to keep my kids from getting addicted to cigarettes. Fortunately, I've been successful. If a teenager wants my opinion, and they rarely do, I would strongly advise them not to smoke OR vape. I might (but just barely) acquiesce to vaping with 0 nicotine.
As a long term heavy smoker with 3 daughters, I've gone out of my way to try to keep my kids from getting addicted to cigarettes. Fortunately, I've been successful. If a teenager wants my opinion, and they rarely do, I would strongly advise them not to smoke OR vape. I might (but just barely) acquiesce to vaping with 0 nicotine.
Agreed. I've had my share of "guidance" (solicited and unsolicited). I'm not a great guidance counselor nor do I want to be. However, I will happily share my life experiences with you, but what you do with that information is up to you. I know this may sound a bit callous, but everyone has to make their own way in life. Part of that is making decisions good or bad. Personally, anything like vaping, drinking, etc. is a decision that they will make on their own and I would hate that my "guidance" may have led to a "bad" decision in someone's life.
I agree. I started smoking when I was 12. Wished I never had picked up that nasty habit. Too bad I didn't discover vaping long before I did.
As I stated above, I started smoking as a pre-teen just like my father too. Being an educator I totally agree with your views about educating someone on "bad habits". Ultimately their own decision to make though.
Yep! I don't believe age should be a factor.
Same here and I don't understand how someone could start vaping if they've never smoked. However, I see many older teens and 20 somethings that are hanging at the local vape shops that have never smoked that vape now. But the majority of these young'uns vaping are using 0 nic on mech mods and are basically cloud chasers. That seems to be a growing fad. I see quite a few of my students doing the same thing around campus and once they found out I vaped we've talked about it. Most seem to think it's the latest "cool" thing to do. Whatever their reasoning may be, I'm still confused, but I quit trying to figure out others motive's a long time ago when it comes to something like this.
I don't drink alcohol or coffee, a personal decision. I love vaping now and can't believe I smoked for 36 years. I still continued to smoke for 5 years even after I had a stroke (I can be an idiot sometimes, more if you ask my wife
)To address the OP, pretty much I think the best thing we can do is educate those who inquire about vaping. Guidance should only be offered if solicited, however, that is a slippery slope and you have to be really careful what guidance you offer.
Smoking, drinking, vaping, etc...are all personal choices that everyone has to make. Education may sway them from making a "bad decision", or it may not. Ultimately they will choose what they will and have to live with the consequences and/or their mistakes. When it comes to issues like this, I have a libertarian view; people are going to do whatever they want to do, be it legal, illegal, immoral, unlawful, what have you and far be it from me to stop them or impede/interfere with the choice they make. No one can really stop them and they can only stop themselves. If they want to do anything, then that is their right, with the obvious exceptions of those things that break the law. Of course I would discourage them from unlawful activities, but if they decide to pursue them, that is their personal choice. I just had a similar talk with my step son last night. His mother caught him with snus yesterday, he is 14. My wife being his biological parent, and being a mother which is a whole different ball game I have yet to understand, went nuts which I perfectly understand. I eventually entered the "conversation" to offer my
and pretty much bring the "conversation" down a few notches. I gave him the obligatory speech about tobacco and it's dangers. I let him know that it was illegal for him to possess a tobacco product and the same for the jerk that bought it for him. However, I told him this was a decision he had to make on his own. I told him that his mother and I disapprove and he would not continue to use snus with our consent. What he does when he is of legal age and not living in our home is up to him, as it should be. I hope he never picks up that habit, but he'll have to make that choice. I hope for his sake and his well-being that he refrains because his mother will kill him 
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Ok great, thanks. Being a new vaper that never smoked doesn't necessarily equate to a minor, however, things like age are not usually given so protecting oneself and a possible minor is a good angle. And of course if their question is one that you have nothing to add to then that is also the best approach. Thanks for your input.
I don't feel it's my place to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do. If they've come here seeking knowledge, and I have it, I'll provide it.
Pretty simple since I've been there. I started smoking at 16 years old. It's a cross between going through a lot of crap and thinking it was the cool thing to do. If vaping was around then, I probably would've chosen that. I can't argue that since I'd be a hypocrite. If a younger adult is going to pick up vaping, I'd rather help educate them than steer then away. Rather them vape than smoke. Everyone has some kind of crutch, could be a hell of a lot worse than nicotine, but that's my opinion, I've seen some crazy crap lol.
Quick edit. I'm saying if they're already looking for advice they made up their mind, so we might as well help them do it the safe way.
Quick edit. I'm saying if they're already looking for advice they made up their mind, so we might as well help them do it the safe way.
Agreed. I've had my share of "guidance" (solicited and unsolicited). I'm not a great guidance counselor nor do I want to be. However, I will happily share my life experiences with you, but what you do with that information is up to you. I know this may sound a bit callous, but everyone has to make their own way in life. Part of that is making decisions good or bad. Personally, anything like vaping, drinking, etc. is a decision that they will make on their own and I would hate that my "guidance" may have led to a "bad" decision in someone's life.
I agree. I started smoking when I was 12. Wished I never had picked up that nasty habit. Too bad I didn't discover vaping long before I did.
As I stated above, I started smoking as a pre-teen just like my father too. Being an educator I totally agree with your views about educating someone on "bad habits". Ultimately their own decision to make though.
Yep! I don't believe age should be a factor.
Same here and I don't understand how someone could start vaping if they've never smoked. However, I see many older teens and 20 somethings that are hanging at the local vape shops that have never smoked that vape now. But the majority of these young'uns vaping are using 0 nic on mech mods and are basically cloud chasers. That seems to be a growing fad. I see quite a few of my students doing the same thing around campus and once they found out I vaped we've talked about it. Most seem to think it's the latest "cool" thing to do. Whatever their reasoning may be, I'm still confused, but I quit trying to figure out others motive's a long time ago when it comes to something like this.
I don't drink alcohol or coffee, a personal decision. I love vaping now and can't believe I smoked for 36 years. I still continued to smoke for 5 years even after I had a stroke (I can be an idiot sometimes, more if you ask my wife
To address the OP, pretty much I think the best thing we can do is educate those who inquire about vaping. Guidance should only be offered if solicited, however, that is a slippery slope and you have to be really careful what guidance you offer.
Smoking, drinking, vaping, etc...are all personal choices that everyone has to make. Education may sway them from making a "bad decision", or it may not. Ultimately they will choose what they will and have to live with the consequences and/or their mistakes. When it comes to issues like this, I have a libertarian view; people are going to do whatever they want to do, be it legal, illegal, immoral, unlawful, what have you and far be it from me to stop them or impede/interfere with the choice they make. No one can really stop them and they can only stop themselves. If they want to do anything, then that is their right, with the obvious exceptions of those things that break the law. Of course I would discourage them from unlawful activities, but if they decide to purse them, that is their personal choice. I just had a similar talk with my step son last night. His mother caught him with snus yesterday, he is 14. My wife being his biological parent, and being a mother which is a whole different ball game I have yet to understand, went nuts which I perfectly understand. I eventually entered the "conversation" to offer my
Very thoughtful reply. Thank You for your input. Many that start vaping sans smoking probably have the same mindset as that person that picks up a cig, cigar or any other vice for the first time. Probably no different then our own reasons for picking up that cig (in my case many decades ago). Not that you need or asked for my opinion but I really like the way you said you handled things with your stepson. Thanks again for your thoughts on this.
Maybe my inquiry isn't as clear as I thought. I am not asking if we should or should not give guidance to people about their choices. I am asking what direction we are going in? I have seen quite a few new post coming from people that are not past smokers coming to learn about vaping. As soon as they say they never smoked many reply simply "then don't vape" and disregard them instead of welcoming them and trying to learn a bit more about why they are here and if there is anything that could be offered to them to help them learn. We (past smokers) made a choice to pick up a cig for the first time at some point. did we listen to any reports, parents, people in general that said "don't"? Would have we picked up a vape instead had it been available? This is where I am going with this. How do we say Good job picking up a vape instead of a smoke without sounding as if we are drawing new comers into a new habit? And Or why should we not be as welcoming to a person that chooses vaping as a vice without ever being a smoker. Instead IMO it seems we treat them like they are an idiots for choosing a path much better then we (past smokers) ourselves chose when we lit our first .....
You hit it right on
I was an occasional cigar guy, but as stress levels increased, I went from 1 or 2 a year to 1 a week, sometimes more. I was already heading down that path. I'm in my 30's, so it's not like I was some young kid. There's a reason people smoke.
I got a lot of flak because I started vaping. But, the reality is, it works for me, and kept me from going much farther down the spiral.
I also noticed since vaping, I basically quit snacking all together. As a result, I've dropped a good bit of weight. Not saying it's tool people should use, but that was my result. It satisfied the oral fixation and flavor quest.
I'm very open with my kids about anything they see me do. I've always stood by the idea that ad parents, it's our duty to educate kids, not the government or schools.
I'll lay all the negatives to them, and let them make the decision as adults. Once they're 18, my opinion on if they should vape or not is irrelevant anyhow.
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I appreciate all the input. If I miss somebody, it is not that I am ignoring your ideas. I have my 'Littles" (grandkids) here with me and they come first before any posting here.
Honesty about my experience. No, if I did not smoke, I would not vape.
I think it good to pass on experience. Well, I listen.
I think it good to pass on experience. Well, I listen.
Thanks so much. You are the reason I ask for this to be tossed about. I want to be wise and careful to avoid ANTZ traps but I also want to be able to say to somebody like yourself: Good Job!!! Congrats!!! WTG!!!, to let you know that you have made better choice for yourself. I also want to be able to welcome a younger person (18,19) that is making the smarter choice for themselves, but this is the area I was told was not good form.
Think back to when you first lit that ........ if vape had been around would you have chosen it over cigs? Just curious. I tend to think I would have although it would very much depend on how it was viewed to my "In" crowd seeing as I was just a kid when I first lit up. I understand that many disagree with me on this, but I would rather vaping be seen as a viable option for those that feel they need something in their lives, but do not want to smoke, not just as a way to stop smoking. Many don't want to admit that we all seek out ways to comfort our stress. Some chose a healthy outlet, many choose unhealthy. I would like to think of vape as some where in between.
Most people want to do something they think is fun and or popular.
Im not that sure why people in their 20's started smoking in the first place these days.
Im not that sure why people in their 20's started smoking in the first place these days.
Same reason most of us did. It was "cool" and fed our self-destructive invincibility complex.
Meh seems like an outdated trait and better ones from the past are seldom adopted by younger people these days.
Though I do smile on the rare occasion I see someone display one.
I see this thread as discussion of old ex-smokers on teen smoking/vaping without adjusting their experience according to new times.
Smoking is not cool anymore. Smoking now is for losers. Smoking among teens was dropping tremendously well before e-cig were really popular.
CDC - Trends in Current Cigarette Smoking - Smoking & Tobacco Use
Please, stop this nonsense "they'd better vape than smoke".
They vape because it became cool, not instead of smoking.
Stop teen's vaping!
Smoking is not cool anymore. Smoking now is for losers. Smoking among teens was dropping tremendously well before e-cig were really popular.
CDC - Trends in Current Cigarette Smoking - Smoking & Tobacco Use
Please, stop this nonsense "they'd better vape than smoke".
They vape because it became cool, not instead of smoking.
Stop teen's vaping!
Obviously if they're trying Vaping, their bound to "smoke" something. I'm all for it.
I wish vaping had always been an option. I like it so much better than smoking. I'm vaping Banana right now! Banana! I never had a Banana flavored cigarette ever! Pretty soon I'll switch over to blueberry red bull. Awesome. Cigarettes only have a few areas where they beat vaping: form factor, portability and flickability. Cigs are easy to hold and easier to carry around with you. When you were done smoking, you could flick the ..... (Last time I accidently flicked my mod I took out my wife's tooth.) But all of those are easily trumped by flavor, better health, no burnt clothes and not stinking to all hell when you are done having a vape.
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