vaping considered cheating for quiting / vaping etiquette

[Lummpy5]

So,
I began my vaping almost 3 weeks ago when i purchased a Kangertech Emow off of craigslist for a very very good price. I bought my last pack of cigarettes 2 weeks ago, and i have stuck to it. While I consider this a momentous occasion for coming up on a month without any serious smoking (their was a night with some heavy drinking and I foolishly decided to join my friends outside for a few), i still get coworkers and friends who consider vaping to be just like smoking. My stance on it has been;
1. Its much much cheaper than smoking considering i smoked a pack a day at 7.25 a pack
2. Healthier since their are many less additives and no tar etc.
3. I don't stink after taking a puff or two
4. I am definitely more productive at work since i dont have to run outside every hour or so
While they agree on the cost savings and smell, they make sure to mention that their is still nicotine and many unknown things in the juice that could be bad for you.
Not that i am looking for any kind of validation or trying to change someones mind (i view ecigs the same as nicorette gum) im just curious if anyone else has had this type of conversation with a coworker or friend.

Secondly...
I was thinking about this the other day, while their are no real rules on vaping at my work or in many social areas (the local dive to name 1) do you think that their should be a proper etiquette to follow while out and about. I have seen people in the long lines at walmart vaping away leaving a foggy trail behind them as they slowly walked forward. I cant imagine what the other people in line were thinking, while im not offended by the person vaping away i did think "wow its only a matter of time before a sign pops up saying no ecigs allowed". But on the same note, if it is socially/legally acceptable then why shouldn't he; just like when people were allowed to walk around clothing stores and schools with a cig hanging from their mouth.

 

[IMFire3605]

Well first subject

I still get this from most my family, and a lot of times I have to throw back what they have heard back in their faces. Being I mainly anymore vape on either tobacco flavors or non-flavored liquids, generally the balance of minimum 3 known substances being consumed (nic, vg, pg) to about a dozen (nic, vg, pg, 4 flavorings, 4 food colorings) compared to 4000 in a stinky. Hmmm, may not be good for me in the long run, but WTH, better than that 4000 known substances and majority of them bad, bad carcenogens. Wait wait wait, that PG stuff being not natural can't be good for you! Really, then why has the medical industry used it for decades now in medical applications such as emergency inhalers and breathing treatments for asthma, emphaseama, COPD, etc??

Your best weapon is knowledge and facts against your typical sheeppeople out there.

Second concern
Yes, there should be we as vapers an enforced set of etiquette when out in public. Personally unless on the back porch, or at a vapor shop, I generally run the least intrusive unit I have with me, generally my MPV, Cana 30watt, IPV V2, or SVD with a Kayfun or Russian slapped on top, for emergency have a Kylin Mech with a Kayfun in my pocket at all times also. At restaurants I step out before beginning to vape like I did as a smoker, not in the establishment myself, or if knowing I'll be hanging with the group after eating, carry my iTaste VV with a Mini-Protank I'll sneak off to the restroom to steal a quick couple vapes generally unflavored nic liquid. I'ts all in how considerate a person is in real life that determines this, most vapers that just puff away with no consideration are generall of the mindset of having a family argument over the cell phone while waiting in line at the store type.

 

[iDanieljviaiTaste]

First off, Welcome to ECF!

Now, I would not say vaping is cheating, at all. Actually, some people, may find that offensive. I smoked for around 5 years, luckily I got out sooner than most people here. Hell, I see guys who have smoked for 30 + years. I know, personally, quite a large amount of people who have quit or have tried to quit.
Take my mom for example. She smoked for 20+ years, 2 packs a day and quit using the patch and her gym membership. I still recall her leaving and saying to me, very angry like, "I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at my cravings.", when she would go to the gym. Sadly, she started smoking again after about 2 years and just last Friday started with the patch again.

Does this mean she is cheating? No, she is trying to better her life just like almost everyone here is. I say almost because there are those groups that vape because they like it and not because they smoked. Nothing wrong with that, but, who's to say we all aren't vaping because we like it and not because we smoke. I very gladly brag to everyone about how long I've gone without smoking. 6 months ago, I could barely go 4 HOURS without a cigarette. Now, I can go almost 4 MONTHS, which I have and am still working on making longer. Might I add, it's the easiest "work" I've ever done.

As for your friends, they're correct to an extent. Nicotine is still a drug, and should be treated as one. But, have you informed your friends of the E-Juice that is nicotine free?
Look at it like this, on a pack of smokes, you get a warning. On a bottle of E-Juice, you get a list of ingredients. Here's the comparison:
Cigarettes (taken from Care2 - largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare.)
Ammonia: Household cleaner.
Arsenic: Used in rat poisons.
Benzene: Used in making dyes, synthetic rubber.
Butane: Gas; used in lighter fluid.
Carbon monoxide: Poisonous gas.
Cadmium: Used in batteries.
Cyanide: Lethal poison.
DDT: A banned insecticide.
Ethyl Furoate: Causes liver damage in animals.
Lead: Poisonous in high doses.
Formaldehyde: Used to preserve dead specimens.
Methoprene: Insecticide.
Maltitol: Sweetener for diabetics.
Napthalene: Ingredient in mothballs.
Methyl isocyanate: Its accidental release killed 2000 people in Bhopal, India, in 1984.
Polonium: Cancer-causing radioactive element.
Read more: The Shocking Ingredients in Cigarettes | Care2 Healthy Living

E-Juice(taken from the side of my bottle)
PG
VG
Natural Flavoring
Nicotine
(May contain dye for coloring)

If anything, this should be a wake up call to everyone. The list of ingredients for cigarettes is cut extremely short. As a matter of fact, the full list is one short of 600 different chemicals and such.

Anyway, this is getting too long, I hope you continue to vape and enjoy it! Remember, your friends aren't you. Only you can decide what you use to quit.

-Daniel

 

[mbzdyk]

My experience. Went to the family doctor last week for a checkup. She knew I smoked, and was pushing me to quit for some time. Even got me on chantix last year.
During the visit she asked if I still smoke. I told her that I switched exclusively to vaping. She smiled and told me that it was a great choice. Marked ex-smoker in my file. (a first for me since I was 13)

As for the etiquette. I think we should respect other people and self regulate our behavior or the government will do it for us. The one thing that sux about that, last saturday I was at a big party at a hall. Went outside to have a vape, but there were probably 10 smokers stinking the place up. Went back in and had a vape in the back hallway away from other people.

 

[gunnartalon]

I personally am MUCH less concerned about the chemicals in my ejuice vs an analog. At least I can pronounce all of them. I also treat my vaping like smoking in so much that I will still excuse myself from wherever I am and go vape alone or with other vapers outside and away from the general populace.

 

[Midnytecloud]

i am just nervous that vaping is not going to help my cravings for wanting a real cig. i am sure i am not alone on that feeling!!

 

[iDanieljviaiTaste]

i am just nervous that vaping is not going to help my cravings for wanting a real cig. i am sure i am not alone on that feeling!!

That was my main concern. I have no doubt that you will get some cravings at some point but they will go away. Here's what did it for me:
Vape for an entire day, match the nic level with your regular cigs. Light cigarettes, match with 6 to 12. Regular, match with 18. If this doesn't help, go to 24.

Anyway, once you've matched it, vape all day. No real cigs. At the very end of the day, go smoke a cigarette (IF you still want one.)
What you'll find is that you won't get the euphoric high from smoking after not doing so for a while. This is what really kept me smoking. That feeling you get when smoking the days first after waking up from a 12 hours slumber.
I hope this helps!

 

[1Wanna5ing]

Everyone has an opinion...if you feel better and it's working for you who cares what other people think! As for etiquette I refrain from vaping where I wouldn't have been allowed to smoke but I stealth vape sometimes. Bravo for getting off cigs you can do it!

 

[Auntie Mame]

Don't worry about what "they" say. This is your decision. Your life. Thank them for their concern, assure them you are fine and be done with the conversation. If some of them are current smokers, you may lead them your way simply by setting an example. About proper vaping. Be courteous. Be thoughtful. If in doubt, ask.

 

[Warpigs]

Vaping is much better than smoking/chewing. Do what YOU want for YOURSELF. Not what others try to preach on you. Vaping has saved my life. I was a 2-3 packs of Marlboro Reds a day and 2-3 bags of Red Man chew. After over a year smoke/chew free, I connot even describe how much better I feel.

 

[Nana Gail]

I know I'm a non Smoker,I don't give a flip what others think of me. I always tell them that I am healthier and Happier than I was as a smoker! Just because it looks like smoke doesn't make it smoke any more than fog is smoke. I freely admit I am a nicotine addict but that ranks up there with Cheese Cake addict, Bacon addict, lottery addict etc. Nicotine is not a mind altering drug and I've never heard of someone burglerizing someones home for a bottle of ejuice or killing someone for a nictine fix. Not sure about it never having happened but it obviously didn't make the Nightly News. Some of the same people that try to insist that Vapeing is just another addiction like smoking, are the same people that have way too many glasses of wine after dinner, or a medicine cabinet full of Legal prescription medications to help them make it through the day. " Let him who has NO SIN, cast the first stone"! Enjoy your freedom from analogs!

 

[mndh1007]

I always try 2 vape outside unless im at my own home... I'm trying 2 prevent bans because people that worry about second hand vapor or those that are offended by the smell cause bans.

 

[Doctor Neurobomb]

To answer the second question... I think as long as you keep the smoke out of people's face or personal space you should be fine. Also, probably would not Vape in restaurant or public transport.

 

[Sara Love]

Just the other day I received flowers at work, the card said "Congrats on quitting smoking, we know it's hard but we want you to know how proud we are of you!! Love DH and DS"

Tomorrow it will be 3 weeks for me. Co-workers asked if DH was in the doghouse to which I replied, "no, I quit smoking" I was so surprised by the flowers and so happy that my family is supportive of my vaping. Then came the comments of which I was not prepared for.

Oh well you just replaced one bad habit for another. You didn't quit smoking, you are still smoking because the ecig has nicotine. That's no better than smoking. You can't claim you are a non smoker if you still smoke.

Um....what? I have not had a cigarette since 9/18. I am a non smoker. I did quit smoking. Vaping while not safe is safer than smoking tyvm. I think my flowers wilted just a little after all that negativity.

But I did not and will not let that drag me down. I will keep on keeping on and vaping one day at a time.

As far as etiquette goes, I vape only where I smoked, outside, except I have added my home and dh's car on road trips. I do not need to vape while in line at the store, the dr's office, movies etc.

 

[CdnDiva]

I could not even imagine vaping inside a store or restaurant, etc. I would feel like a complete tool.

It's not illegal to fart in public either, but that doesn't mean you should do it....

 

[shanevedvik]

Cheating or not, it's worth a few people who have no personal experience claiming it's cheating. Every doctor I see says im a non smoker now.

 

[amtseung]

The general etiquette isn't that complicated. If you're puffing clouds around you, you're in an enclosed space with other individuals, and they don't like it, it's not nice. Not that it's illegal, but it's just not nice. I only have one piece of functioning kit, and it's my cloudchasing machine, so I can fart foggy clouds all over a building in no time at all. However, I try to keep it outdoors, make sure to do it downwind of all nonsmokers in the general area, and try to only vape in places where I know other people vape or where I'm not bothering anyone.
Unless, of course, you're in Vancouver, Canada, where all outdoor vaping has been banned.

 

[WeirdWillie]

i am just nervous that vaping is not going to help my cravings for wanting a real cig. i am sure i am not alone on that feeling!!

Give it a try, I smoked for almost 30 years, vaping has saved my life, I have not had a smoke in 2.5 years, I breath better, can smell and taste better, I'm more active and my overall quality of life is way better than it was when I was smoking.

With vaping you have to find what the right combination of harware and e-liquid that is right for you.
I started vaping at 36mg nic I now vape at 12mg or less nic, but have become a flavor junkie

 

[chopdoc]

I think we all ran into at least one person who declared we are still smokers because we blew out a vapor. So what. I usually ask them do you smell that? cig smoke? They reply no and I just smile at them.
I really dont care what others think. I know my non smoking coworkers are happy I dont reek of a cig anymore. My doctor is very happy how the weezing in my lungs is gone. But most important I am happy because I feel great.

 

[chopdoc]

i am just nervous that vaping is not going to help my cravings for wanting a real cig. i am sure i am not alone on that feeling!!

Midnytecloud, what I did was left my smokes in the car. I could have one anytime I wanted but had to go to the car to get them but I could vape where ever I was. Every day i smoked way less, like half what I smoked the previous day. Day four I lit my last smoke and it tasted horrible. I couldnt finish it, it was that bad and the I was an ex smoker. No withdrawals, no urges. I just vaped. Few weeks ago when I was getting close to two months I had a couple serious cravings. that the only time since I quit and they went away.
I was a 40 year 3 pack a day smoker. Many of my friends was shocked when they heard I quit because no one could believe it. Its amazing.