Trying to convince people...

[Dingus]

I myself am 100% convinced that vaping is better than smoking.

I bought a Volt kit for one of my best friends as a birthday present. He's still convinced that he can beat tobacco/nicotine on his own, even though he's never even tried it. I mean, if he can, great, but he's always been a much heavier smoker than me, and if I couldn't do it without e-cigs, I think his chances are close to zero. But his argument are that he isn't convinced that vaping is good for him. I keep telling him that even if it's 10% better than smoking, it's worth it...

So, really, my question is - how do we convince people that this is good for them, even if it hasn't been scientifically proven?

There's one other case that's important to me. My daughters grandmother (on the mother/ex gf's side) is a heavy smoker. She looks out for my daughter a lot, and she's a great person - but I don't like her smoking when my daughter's near. I'd love to get her to smoke e-cig's, but I don't want to lecture her or anything. How do I get her to vape?

I figure it would be easier if I had a perfect vape, but after two months of vaping (and some tests a few years ago), it's still a lot of trial and error for me. These days, if I had to recommend a way to vape, I'd say Volt carto's, but when it comes to juice, I haven't even found my own perfect vape, just a few ones that I kind of like...

 

[kinabaloo]

It's a matter of logic. We can't prove it's safe (that's like trying to prove a negative). But we know that we have taken a thousand chemicals out (including radioactive polonium and other heavy metals that tendd to bio-accumulate) and - at least rqually important - we avoid combustion products, which include highly reactive (unstable) compounds. So with 99% + of the harmful stuff avoided, it's a clear and logical choice. The glycols are irritants to a few people, but are not toxins. Be careful with flavors and colors though.

There are a few definately raise a red flag; others might be contentious, but bear in mind that breathing in is different from ingestion.

If it doesnt yet exist, a sticky thread to debate these would be useful.

I recently looked at sweetners and concluded that imo only ethyl maltol was safe (and perhaps VG as that's slightly sweet too). But many will disagree. I base this on the fact that only ethyl maltol is heat stable and vapable (does not depend on getting carried out / spat out from the heater coil (where some might well deposit and char).

 

[RCXD]

Just ask them to name just 5 of the chemicals that is in a stick of cigarette. And ask them what can the 5 chemicals do to them. Then you tell them whats inside the e-liquid.

Then you tell them of the wonderful things about changing flavors, no smelly room, no smelly hands, no bad breath and so on.

If they keep telling you, eventually you'll die by smoking or not smoking. Tell them this, life is too short. But it doesn't hurt trying to make it a tiny bit longer for your loved ones.

 

[Dingus]

I actually told that friend today that cigarettes contain 4000 chemicals - he replied that for the price of one cigarette, 4000 chemicals is a good deal. I thought that was pretty clever and funny

E-liquid contains chemicals as well. Are there any scientific tests that conclude that this is more healthy in the long run? Anything other than speculation or people's experiences that I can point him to? This guy is a conspiracy theorist, he hates the FDA (even though we're in Europe), he hates microwaves or any type of radiation, and he's very much opposed to coke light or anything that contains artificial sweeteners because they can cause cancer - even though he's a PAD smoker.

Just trying to look out for my buddy, even though he's not making it easy for me

 

[RCXD]

Lol. Good one. It's hard, i know. I quite don't understand how people are not seeing this as a improvement. Long run? This is not for you to substitute cigarettes. It's just there to help you through it. It's the nicotine we're addicted to. So, if you're good at 18mg of nicotine then later down the road drop it to 12mg. And so on. Till you get to 0mg. If you can sustain yourself at 0mg. Then buddy, you're good to go. I've got friends who've gone the 0mg and yo nothing. It will work, it's you who'll have to believe in yourself. Telling you to stop.

Sorry if i blabber too much. Lol. Just thought i could help you out.

 

[Dingus]

Don't worry about blabbering - I appreciate it

Personally, I don't even want to quit vaping - I enjoy it too much. I enjoy buying new pvs/mods, I enjoy trying new juices, all that. But I also see that that's not a good example for someone who might want to quit smoking - I'm just replacing one addiction with another, which for me is totally cool, since I've found something I love, but it may not be a good argument against smoking... When it comes to money, I think I spent almost $1k on vaping in my first two months (and I haven't even started with the high-end mods), so I can't in good conscience say it's more cost-effective at all.

Sure, I make a good living (self-employed Flash/iPhone game developer), so I can spare some money trying to find the ideal vape for me. I can also buy some kits for people, hoping they'll "see the light". But without hard scientific proof that this is a healthier way of living, it's hard to convince people.

(But that doesn't mean I won't keep on trying off course )

 

[madjack]

CASAA.org I think you should go here and look thru there resources pages...lotssa good info to hit the naysayers over the head with........
madjack

 

[Dingus]

Thanks! I'll definitely be doing my research on that site.

 

[Nunnster]

Well IMO it sounds like your friend is not ready to quit yet. Even with ecigs if you do not want to quit analogs, you wont. But he has the idea in his head now, and maybe next week or next year but when he is ready he will know about ecigs. If he is worried about not having an analog, try to get him to supplement his smoking with vaping.

 

[kinabaloo]

Point to the 'success stories' sub-forum; speaks for itself ...

 

[madjack]

I often find, if reasoned argument/debate doesn't work, a ball bat can work wonders.........

 

[leftfeild]

I actually told that friend today that cigarettes contain 4000 chemicals - he replied that for the price of one cigarette, 4000 chemicals is a good deal.

If you're still talking to them please tell them they made my day with that. If I was trying to convince someone to start ecigs and they said that, I would have been laughing too hard to say another word for a good while.

You can't force someone that quick witted to consider ecigs I guess hah

 

[Nicko]

My experience is that it's a complete waste of time trying to convince anyone. Others simply don't believe me when I tell them vaping is much more enjoyable and healthy.

 

[RandaPandaBear]

Petition for recognizing e cigs as a smoking alternative

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition...ustry/57vtB0QK

 

[tj99959]

Attraction works far better than promotion. Let your friend see the changes in how you feel. The enjoyment that you get from vaping. Even the repulsion you get from the smell of analogs.

 

[Dingus]

Thanks for the replies. I came back from a bar when I wrote these posts, so I hope it wasn't too stupid... I really shouldn't drink and post...

Now that I'm sober, I realize that I shouldn't try to convince people, but just show them the way.
But I guess I just don't want to be the only vaper in town

 

[Allan.GH]

Nicotine Benefits is one good document that I've taken information from to give others, and there are more readily available here:
Medical/Health and Safety - Vapers Forum

 

[Allan.GH]

I guess I just don't want to be the only vaper in town

Better to lead than to follow.

 

[erich]

Even the repulsion you get from the smell of analogs.

Nothin' worse than former smokers complaining about smoke! I jest, but though I recall even as a smoker finding the reek of my clothes after a night in a bar repulsive, when standing outside vaping with analog smokers, I find the scent of analogs to be wonderful. My father who quit smoking 12 years ago still says the same thing, so I know I'm not alone.