Tips to avoid non-smoker confrontations...

[Unperson]

If you're a personal vaporizer (PV) user and like the idea of using your device in public but want to avoid confrontations with individuals whom are either paranoid that it is a harmful analog smoking product, or will need a fifteen minute discussion to avoid that assumption, then here's a few tips:

The PV unit itself

For some, it might help them make the transition (psychologically) if the unit resembles an analog cigarette as much as possible. That is all fine and dandy, but when you leave the house and mingle with the masses, it paints a bulls eye on you; particularly if the unit has a white battery, beige cartridges, and (God forbid) a red LED. If this is the unit you're taking out with you then you're asking for it. To avoid confrontations, switch to something more discrete for public jaunts, such as:

- No LED / Unfamiliar colors - If you're determined to use a PV that resembles an analog cigarette (or can't afford multiple PVs) then you can buy a battery that doesn't use an LED. This means you can't visually tell if the battery is working, but it also means others aren't drawn to you as you use it. Also, chose battery and cartridge colors that differ from standard analogs. Blacks, steel, blue, etc..

- Joye Stick - Looks nothing like an analog cigarette and is palm sized. You can take a pull from one of these and nobody will be the wiser. They last a long time off a charge and you can swap out batteries easily if needed.

- 905 / Screwdriver / SD - These tend to be used by power PV'ers and are more cumbersome, but they definitely don't appear like analogs. However, they are bulkier so the Joye Stick might be better.

- Stealth juice - This e-juice option allows you to vape but with no vapor or steam when you exhale. Used with any of the PV options already mentioned, you will not emit what is probably the most alarming aspect of vaping; namely, emitting a cloud of vapor. Mixed with a battery sans LED, you might wonder how even you would know if your device is working properly, but you still have the flavor and throat hit to tell you that.

The PC PV (politically correct personal vaporizer user)

To find anything in the world, you need to be able to refer to it using terms that others will recognize. As a result, "electronic cigarette," "E-cigarette," and "E-cig" have become common. If you try to search for "Personal Vaporizer" then you won't necessarily find what you're looking for. For buyers, there has been a need to draw a strong comparison between PVs and analog tobacco products. However, once you have a product and are educating others, you should try to refrain from keeping that association.

1. Don't call them cigarettes, e-cigs, or anything connecting the device to analog tobacco. Use PV or vaporizer to describe it.

2. Don't refer to using a PV as smoking or taking a drag but instead call it "vaping". Smoking is a term for a product that produces smoke; PVs don't.

3. If you're talking with someone that is an extreme opponent of smoking, then you don't have to use the word "nicotine" in your description. Since it is none of their business if you are taking in nicotine and the device poses no risk to them, then why open that can of worms. Even if they are aware of PV devices and juice with nicotine, how can they prove whether you are using "0" mg juice or not.

...

Portions of this post may seem like I'm suggesting people should be either ashamed or dishonest. I'm not. I'm simply passing on tips for others so that they continue to use their PVs among a public that is still largely in the dark with the true safety and non-invasive nature of these devices.

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[Urban Nightmare]

All very good suggestions. Since I started a couple of weeks ago I've been successfully vaping in the grocery store and a McDonalds. The idea of the low vapor juice is a good one. I've got one here that produces almost no vapor. Another suggestion is to put a finger in front of the LED. Not only is it easier to see if your dragging right on it in brighter lights but people also know its not an analog because normally you would burn your finger doing that.

 

[Kurt]

Nice suggestions! Cart caps for the 901 fit perfectly over the 510 batt LED, with only a small hole at the end which can be covered by having that end in the palm. I'm not aware of a PV batt without an LED, as the LED is useful for charging indicators and when the batt is dead...but I personally find those big bright LEDs silly, stupid, and even if they are blue or purple they put a bulls-eye on you. There are a couple of batt mods that have positively UFO-like LEDs, but reversing the batteries inside will allow "dark" vaping. With my 510, or similar standard models, a tiny LED on the side would be better, IMHO.

I don't hold my 510 like a cigarette either. It looks like I'm chewing on a black pen most of the time.

There has been discussion of a no- or low- vapor juice, but I've not seen any good solutions to that yet.

I've not had any significantly negative conversations with anybody who was anti-smoking. In fact, they have been very positive about the PV, and want to get one for one of their poor smoking friends. Haven't encountered a vocally strident anti who wanted to angrily argue with me about my using a PV, but if it happened I would likely tell them that there are medications available for their distorted feeling of self-importance, and they should ask their doctor if thorazine is right for them.

 

[Vaerez]

People don't have the time or inclination to put things under a microscope at first glance.

Your assertions are correct, Person.

Although I still like my suggestion in your old thread; apparently others did not (plans, microscopes, etc).

 

[Vaerez]

People don't have the time or inclination to put things under a microscope at first glance.

Your assertions are correct, Person.

Although I still like my suggestion in your old thread; apparently others did not (plans, microscopes, etc).

 

[GoodDog]

I put a black Permanent Marker cap on the end of my 510 and it hides the LED. Not all of the markers are the right size, though. Also makes it look like I'm sucking on a pen. LOL

 

[Hoosier]

I have found that if I talk to people before I bring it out, explain what it is, there has been no negative reaction, to-date.

In places where that is not possible, I keep the LED covered and keep the exhaled vapor to a minimum.

Have not had an issue yet.

 

[Unperson]

People don't have the time or inclination to put things under a microscope at first glance.

Your assertions are correct, Person.

Although I still like my suggestion in your old thread; apparently others did not (plans, microscopes, etc).

{based on your reply in my 'pariah' thread}

I sincerely applaud your desire to educate the masses. You are completely correct in your assessment that people do need to know the truth about vaping and once a majority gains clarity, we (PV'ers) will have it much easier.

Personal Vaporizers ARE the future. Even an individual with an intellect 'just this side of a gorilla' has to cede to the truth that a PV is better than tar and feathering your lungs with coffin {coughing?} nails.

Unfortunately (for me at least), I'm a xenophobe that dreads rubbing elbows with John Q, Jane Doe, and the other dregs of typical society. If you have the strength to play the tabletop edition of 'Jesus among the lepers' then I genuinely admire your tenacity. You're a better man than I.

I'm too old and damaged to have that kind of gumption.

Salut et bonne chance!

 

[Unperson]

I put a black Permanent Marker cap on the end of my 510 and it hides the LED. Not all of the markers are the right size, though. Also makes it look like I'm sucking on a pen. LOL

I have found that if I talk to people before I bring it out, explain what it is, there has been no negative reaction, to-date.

In places where that is not possible, I keep the LED covered and keep the exhaled vapor to a minimum.

Have not had an issue yet.

Yes, hiding it is an option. There's a multitude of ways to do that. Probably one of the easiest to use an eye/sunglass lanyard, such as:

or make your own by getting just the rubber holders:

Note: Most lanyards use the rubber holders (above) which can easily hold smaller pvs. Simply use both ends (intended to fit over the eyeglass frames) so that they both meet up on the battery close to the atty.

With a lanyard, you can tuck your PV down the front of your shirt and take a draw from it with the battery LED still down inside your shirt. You could also exhale down inside your shirt if you felt it necessary.

 

[p03t]

OP, first and foremost i understand why u put this thread up and said what u did, and for all those out there that dont like dealing with people and wish to avoid it, this is a great thread to read, myself, i have had my 510 for 2 days, its my first pv and i love it! i was expecting to have to ween myself off of analogs and i still have half a pack sitting here right now, i woke up this morning and wanted a smoke so i lit up an analog and i got no throat hit and it tasted horrible, i grabbed my nifty new 510 and got my fix, since taking this amazing little gizmo out of its package i have not wanted an analog, and while out at the movies today i decided eh what the hell i brought it in with me and vaped through the whole movie, and im in a fairly conservative (YOU DO WHAT WE SAY) type of area, not a single person said anything or complained (at least audibly) but if they had i would have gladly informed them of anything they needed to know about these products, they are great and a much better alternative and IMO the more people who know about them the better, i for one am more than willing to spread the word

 

[GoodDog]

Sometimes I just don't have time because once I start talking about it I can't stop! LOL The other day someone walking past me yelled, "stop, you have one of those things I saw at the mall!" It was 20 minutes and five more people later before I was on my way. It is fun to know about something so cool and to share that with others!