This is not good (my two cents)

[Blue Knight Max]

I am all for educating the public, but you will ALWAYS find people that are against anything that even resembles smoking even if it is an e-cig.

This is an unfortunate fact.

They might not complain about the 2nd hand smoke but they'll come up with some lame duck reason why THEY feel we should not be vaping in public places.

IMO, the best course of action is to get the permission from the establishment to vape. That way if anyone complains, they will have to deal with it.

Last Friday, the Long Island Vapors club had our first meeting at a local AppleBee's. The founder, Spikey, got there a little early and spoke to the manager about our meeting, our purpose, demonstrated to him the e-cig and how it works and got the OK for us to vape inside. He was even interested himself to purchase one.

As the night went on and we all gathered, we got no complaints from anybody but we did get alot of curious people that wanted to know what it was we were vaping. Long story short, many people that night were educated about the e-cig and I believe we may have even convinced many smokers to drop the analogs and to try vaping for the sake of their health.

 

[Avid]

As the night went on and we all gathered, we got no complaints from anybody but we did get alot of curious people that wanted to know what it was we were vaping. Long story short, many people that night were educated about the e-cig and I believe we may have even convinced many smokers to drop the analogs and to try vaping for the sake of their health.

Wow Public education, great PR in a relaxed environment and getting people to consider vaping over smoking all in one night.

Congrats to you all, that's pretty amazing stuff!

I'm impressed (and maybe a tiny bit jealous that I have no one to vape with lol)

 

[strayling]

Long story short, many people that night were educated about the e-cig and I believe we may have even convinced many smokers to drop the analogs and to try vaping for the sake of their health.

Just wanted to say well done

 

[BlkSupra1jzed]

Wow Public education, great PR in a relaxed environment and getting people to consider vaping over smoking all in one night.

Congrats to you all, that's pretty amazing stuff!

I'm impressed (and maybe a tiny bit jealous that I have no one to vape with lol)

No kidding! I think doing meets like that just hangin out sharing different flavors or whatnot would be a blast! Definitely sounds like it was a great PR event too.

 

[NicAddict]

For some reason, I can't post a new thread here, so I'll post in this thread and hope a mod moves it for me.

I was at a showing of Gone With the Wind at the Fox Theater in Atlanta tonight with my girlfriend. Since it's a four hour long film, there is an intermission in between the two halves.

During the intermission, I stood up and stretched my legs. I decided now was as good a time as any to puff on my ecig. I have an NJOY NPRO so it does look like a real cig. I kept holding the ember end in a closed fist between puffs so anyone who saw would realize it's not a real cigarette.

Suddenly, some guy from the other side of the balcony from me, yells out loud enough to silence the balcony "SIR THIS IS A NO SMOKING THEATER!" He's not an usher, he's not an employee. Just a guy yelling at me from about 60 feet away in a crowded theater.

There's no real oportunity for me to explain what's up. I unscrew the two pieces and put them back together, calling out. "It's not a cigarrette." Then basically give up as it's a lost cause.

I turned to sit down and muttered to the mother and early twenties daughter sitting behind me that it really isn't a cigarrette. The daughter responds.

"Oh, I know. I have a friend who has one. He likes to annoy people in public with it just like you."

I pretty much gave up completely at this point. I'm really angry what happened. The reaction from the man and, even more so, the words of the young woman.

It was my first experience with vaping in public and it went terribly. There was no chance to explain and people already had their minds made up about it.

Try this "it's not a cigarette, it is a personal vaporizer, just like an asthma inhaler." Those are sold non-prescription too

This is the best way I've found to diffuse the "anti's". Nobody would disallow someone from using their inhaler in public. Also, at a restaurant, saying it's no different than the steam that comes off of coffee or tea is helpful.

Just my 2cp.

 

[Kimpetuous]

I've been called out in public several times. What I do is take a huge hit and 'stub' the glowing end on my forehead. 'It's not a cigarette' works a lot better after that.

I'm not as willing to indulge in these little amusements as I once was, but a screaming puritan motivates me every time. I posted long ago that challenging the unshakeable moral high ground of people who feel entitled to call me out across a crowded room is hugely satisfying, and it works too. Your guy undoubtedly beat a crowd of like-minded people to the scream, so I sorta try to make them look foolish or ashamed (not easy with puritans)

Good opportunity to make the onlookers think twice about shouting at a stranger. Shame you were caught off-balance.

There's always next time!

Emp

THEIR forehead would be funnier.

 

[QueenInNC]

I am not one to vape where people do not smoke or try to be sneaky. If I am in a non smoking restaurant, I do not vape. I wait until after I eat and either walk over to the bar (if they have one) or go outside. I have, however, been vaping occasionally in the malls. That is because Smoking Everywhere is set up in all of the malls that I go to. Most people have at least seen it and know what it is. In one of the malls, the SE kiosk is right by the food court so it no one acts like it is a big deal. After all, the SE employees are vaping away

BUT, once I did vape at a pro basketball game I will probably do the same at football games since they are outside. Of course if something is said, I will stop. I would never argue with someone about it. I would tell them what it was, but respect their wishes.

I get a ton of looks as if I am doing something illegal. I have the 901s (in black, blue, stainless and black) so none of them look like an analog. I think people wonder why I would smoke pot in a public place. lol

 

[WiηgC¤mmαηdεя]

After careful thought I am being careful not to vap in non smoking areas due to the Health Canada warning.
I still get asked about my black Evo a lot due to the blue LED and explain how they work.
Ive been getting more approval for using it than non approval, and a lot of inquiries on where to buy.
When I explain that I need to order online due to Health Canada most people think that HC should lift the ban and allow them to catch on as a analog replacement.
I am hopeful to one day see personal vaporizers allowed in public areas, or at least have it left up to the establishments to allow or disallow their use.

 

[StudioKraft]

The founder, Spikey, got there a little early and spoke to the manager about our meeting, our purpose, demonstrated to him the e-cig and how it works and got the OK for us to vape inside. He was even interested himself to purchase one.

This is another interesting facet of "vaping" - it puts the power to determine what is and isn't allowed in an establishment regarding the use of legal substances back where it belongs. The business owner and the people that they have hired to run the place should determine what is and isn't allowed. Unlike cigarette smoking, they again have that power with PVs; and their decisions as private property owners should be respected both by patrons and lawmakers.

 

[Jim Davis]

After careful thought I am being careful not to vap in non smoking areas due to the Health Canada warning.
I still get asked about my black Evo a lot due to the blue LED and explain how they work.
Ive been getting more approval for using it than non approval, and a lot of inquiries on where to buy.
When I explain that I need to order online due to Health Canada most people think that HC should lift the ban and allow them to catch on as a analog replacement.
I am hopeful to one day see personal vaporizers allowed in public areas, or at least have it left up to the establishments to allow or disallow their use.

That's the way to do it (IMHO). Get as many smokers on board as we can. I was in Sacramento, CAL yesterday, and my office was going to send me to Vancouver, BC. I was wondering what would happen to all my e-cig stuff at the border. Luckily, Vancouver canceled the call.

 

[verhoeven]

I’ve been to a few places and always tell them about my personal vaporizer before using it.
Only one place had a problem with it, thought it might upset their older cliental. I told them that was fine and wouldn’t use it. Came back the next day with some literature explaining what it is. I think it’s up to us to educate those who do not understand. I do not call them “electronic cigarettes” because they are not a cigarette by any means. This device is a vaporizer, pure and simple. The sooner we get away from the term “cigarette” the better. Owners have the final say on what is acceptable in their place of business. My very first attempt to educate was at the local police station. It was very positive with them and they later bought a njoy. Then they spread the word at the local bank, where some employees also order theirs. I then visited the bar and the same thing happen, started selling the ruyan disposables to their customers.
My point is positive reinforcement and education about these devices, not “Hey it’s my right”. I will continue doing what I see is working. I do not hide in the shadows but I also do not force the issue that “I can use these anywhere”. They more positive people on our side the better.

 

[seminolewind]

I am all for educating the public, but you will ALWAYS find people that are against anything that even resembles smoking even if it is an e-cig.

This is an unfortunate fact.

They might not complain about the 2nd hand smoke but they'll come up with some lame duck reason why THEY feel we should not be vaping in public places.

IMO, the best course of action is to get the permission from the establishment to vape. That way if anyone complains, they will have to deal with it.

Last Friday, the Long Island Vapors club had our first meeting at a local AppleBee's. The founder, Spikey, got there a little early and spoke to the manager about our meeting, our purpose, demonstrated to him the e-cig and how it works and got the OK for us to vape inside. He was even interested himself to purchase one.

As the night went on and we all gathered, we got no complaints from anybody but we did get alot of curious people that wanted to know what it was we were vaping. Long story short, many people that night were educated about the e-cig and I believe we may have even convinced many smokers to drop the analogs and to try vaping for the sake of their health.

I'm a transplanted Long Islander, and Applebee's is a great place for an ecig meeting, and I think there are alot of Long Islanders who are very progressive thinkers.

 

[seminolewind]

We, as members of this MB, should make up a page or two that explains PV's and gives this web address, and how to locate on line sellers. Then any of us can download and make copies of it to hand out when the situation arises.
I agree, we need to change the word e-cig to something else.

 

[Sar]

... I agree, we need to change the word e-cig to something else.

"Oral Humidifier" could work. Make it into a novelty item. People will think "what will they come up with next?" but they will not be bothered.

 

[Extremeodd]

I guess that is one advantage to a juicy box, people think its a breathalizer or something. My boss who has seen me using it on many many occasions finally asked me if it was a cig or a pipe. I just kinda chuckled and said neither, its a PV and he didnt say a thing afterwards. Its all what people see, if it looks like a cig they have some reason to react but if its something that they've never seen before they seem to shy away.

 

[Vapinginjapan]

"Oral Humidifier" could work. Make it into a novelty item. People will think "what will they come up with next?" but they will not be bothered.

An entertaining idea, since PG dries out your body so bad.

 

[seminolewind]

Last night at work I called it "sucking steam", LOL

 

[Tallgirl1974]

"Oral Humidifier" could work. Make it into a novelty item. People will think "what will they come up with next?" but they will not be bothered.

Oh good one! Been reading along and totally agree that people shouldn't be jerks about these things. Not yet anyway. It is fact that we do not know everything about them yet, so sucking on one in front of a mom with kids will unnerve her. Blowing what looks like smoke everywhere will make people stare and some people will be jerks about it regardless of what you say.
Just as some people will be quick to tell us "no, you cant do that here" some people who use PV will be jerks about demanding they can. And it just wont help out cause.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

As the night went on and we all gathered, we got no complaints from anybody but we did get alot of curious people that wanted to know what it was we were vaping. Long story short, many people that night were educated about the e-cig and I believe we may have even convinced many smokers to drop the analogs and to try vaping for the sake of their health.

This is wonderful to hear that the meet up went well and I highly encourage other groups to get started! Right now is the time to educate. Get public awareness up. Get them understanding of what the ecig actually is so.

Knowing you and Spikey and some of the others who went, we are lucky to have ambassadors like yourselves.

Any Indy tokers out there? We could sit on the steps of the circle monument and enjoy our ecigs! There would be lots of people on a sunny saturday afternoon to educate!

 

[Elendil]

I guess that is one advantage to a juicy box,

Also a lot of busy Saturday nights....................