Vaping in the 21st Century!!!

[Aymoon]

As I'm sure many of you have done, I've often had to describe and sometimes defend what vaping is and why I do it. The biggest problem I have is the associations people have with smoking tobacco.

I think it's time we all moved on from the past and stopped calling the funky devices we use 'electronic cigarettes'... period. I know I'm not the only one who sees how people's reactions change the moment you mention those words.


As far as I'm concerned, I do not smoke. I am a non-smoker now and hopefully forever more. I use a personal vaporiser. It tastes good and I enjoy it. That's it, that's my excuse. The nicotine is optional, and it's just an ingredient, like sugar in your coffee. It does NOT make it a cigarette, unless having sugar in your coffee means you're drinking a 'fake' coke!

Does the terminology we use matter that much? Do you think we'll see the day when vaping will be viewed as something entirely removed from tobacco cigarettes? or will the association persist simply from the fact that it contains nicotine?

Your thoughts?

 

[paleocon12111971]

I think that the word association is based off of nostalgia. Cigarettes were a major part of 20th century culture. Also, it's a lot easier to get people to quit smoking, if they're substituting a tobacco "cigarette" with an electronic "cigarette." I don't mind the term, but unfortunately, there is a huge social stigma behind anything that possibly resembles smoking or utilizing the word "cigarette."

 

[hausmouse]

When they think of the term vaporizer there's alway that possible assosciation with an illegal substance.

 

[blackHelix]

I get this all the time. Any time I show it to someone, they're usually like "Why? Why don't you just quit?". As if to assume that I have this huge horrible addiction and if only I could quit this complicated vaping thing my life would be so much better. They usually tell me this as they're stuffing their face full of french fries or opening their 14th beer. Totally ignorant to the fact that I LOVE IT.

Case in point. A girl at work asked me this the other day while opening a bag of "Baked" Potato chips. I asked her why she bought baked chips and she said "Oh, they're lower in calories and better for me". I said "Why don't you just give up chips all together ?". She said "Oh, but I love chips! This way makes me feel less guilty".

She said this completely oblivious to the irony.

 

[Baditude]

I agree about some people having a negative reaction to the title "electronic cigarette". To many, just the word "cigarette" causes prejudice and bias. Most of these people do not really understand what are these devices are, or why we choose to use them.

Even some of the ones who do understand, ask when are you going to give "those" up, and don't understand when I tell them I see vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking...that I don't have plans to stop vaping because I enjoy it, and I am not harming others with my second hand water vapor.

As long as the FDA doesn't go crazy overboard with its upcoming rulings, I think the future will be pretty positive for vapors. I've heard nothing but positive comments about the Blu and NJoy electronic cigarette commercials from smokers and non-smokers alike (along with the expected jokes from current vapors). Positive exposure of vaping is critical for acceptance by the population at large.

As suspicious as I might be of Big Tobacco, I can only hope that their unlimited advertising budgets will present "e-cigarettes" in a positive light if done correctly, and give vaping the broad exposure it needs to be more understood and accepted to the general population.

Big Pharmaceutical likely will be our biggest enemy, as they have the most to lose should vaping become more accepted and be more mainstream.

 

[Baditude]

When they think of the term vaporizer there's alway that possible assosciation with an illegal substance.

And that tells a lot about that person making that kind of comment. The average person is not aware of some vaporizers being used for illegal substances. Vaporizers to the majority of people means the machines that make mist in our homes that helps increase the humidity in a dry room, or delivers medicine to our lungs.

 

[hausmouse]

never used one nor am i into that sort of thing. but i can tell you around here if you say vaporizer that would be the first thought. i just called my mom and said the word vaporizer. Guess what her reaction was, just as i suspected

 

[StereoDreamer]

never used one nor am i into that sort of thing. but i can tell you around here if you say vaporizer that would be the first thought. i just called my mom and said the word vaporizer. Guess what her reaction was, just as i suspected

Maybe your mom has some secrets you don't know about?... ;-)

 

[hausmouse]

Maybe your mom has some secrets you don't know about?... ;-)

Well she was a child of the 60's so even though she'd never admit to it i know it was a different time. but today haha no she has too many jobs for that

 

[BobAgainstApples]

I find it funny how quick we are to join the haters. Those smokers are icky -- I'm not one of the them. They should be called e-cigs until every last analog smoker is aware of them. Maybe the ban happy governments of the world will someday ban the analogs (yeah, right) at which point there will be no need to distinguish and we can call them something else.

 

[Aymoon]

@baditude - I'm not too worried about the legal side of things. Any move to ban or heavily regulate will need to be scientifically backed up lest those involved be shown down the line to be either extremely ignorant or shills for vested interests.

@hausmouse - my concern over the term vaporiser is the medical association with it above all else... I've never come across anyone who made the drug connection before, though I'm sure a few will. It was just outside my reality (and that's coming from someone who had a very 'healthy' appetite for partying)

@blackhelix - I like the analogy! The thing is, people get sidetracked by issues that are just so simple when looked at with a sober head. It beggars belief that we (myself included) can be so blinded by our own view of the world and not see what's beyond it.

I like to use metaphors and analogies to compare vaping with smoking regarding health issues... eg. how long could you sit in a small room filled with smoke due to a fire burning in the corner and why? ... then how long could you sit in a sauna or steam room at your local gym, assuming you can stand the heat, and why? Well, that's the difference. Only one makes you choke.

I just wish I didn't have to bother making that comparison. Meh.

@bob - I've got nothing against smokers, and that's not my beef. I don't want to hate on 'electronic cigarettes' either, I just want to start the Vape love party

 

[hausmouse]

I find it funny how quick we are to join the haters. Those smokers are icky -- I'm not one of the them. They should be called e-cigs until every last analog smoker is aware of them. Maybe the ban happy governments of the world will someday ban the analogs (yeah, right) at which point there will be no need to distinguish and we can call them something else.

meh i call it doing what i want. if somebody doesn't like it its their problem. on that ban cigarettes topic (which i don't think should happen, nor should my alarm clock be banned. if your confused read my signature) when RJR goes bankrupt that might happen. until then good luck

 

[hausmouse]

and for aymoon, just ask them if they have a problem with the foul odor of it or all the ash or maybe your throwing the "...." of your ecig on the ground when your done with it

 

[Baditude]

@baditude - I'm not too worried about the legal side of things. Any move to ban or heavily regulate will need to be scientifically backed up lest those involved be shown down the line to be either extremely ignorant or shills for vested interests.

I hope you are right about that. Having worked in the medical field for 30+ years, I know how politically corrupt the FDA and government can be. The FDA exists partially for the self-interests of Big Pharmaceutical and survives at least partially from the under-the-table bribes and deals made by lobbyists with no conscience. I obviously can't prove the above, but I've gotten these beliefs from working in the industry that they govern.

I assume you didn't see the recent thread here on ECF where the FDA stopped a vendor from selling walnuts because they advertised them as being "good for your health".

Couldn't they have found someone else more worthy to pick on? I get so tired of the ads on the radio for "male enhancement" products that you and I know are a ripoff.

Well, at least I know they are.

 

[Aymoon]

and for aymoon, just ask them if they have a problem with the foul odor of it or all the ash or maybe your throwing the "...." of your ecig on the ground when your done with it

to be honest, I don't feel the need to. What's important is that 'I' don't have to stink up my own hair/clothes/breath any more and I'm happy about that. In my social circle I'm the ONLY vaper I know... hence I get a lot of attention for it and I just wish that I could talk about it for what it is, not for what it's not, if you get my drift. Do I really HAVE to explain that there's no fire /burning / tar etc. involved, or can I just say - "yeah it's blueberry, pineapple and lime flavour... yummy!"

 

[Aymoon]

I hope you are right about that. Having worked in the medical field for 30+ years, I know how politically corrupt the FDA and government can be. The FDA exists partially for the self-interests of Big Pharmaceutical and survives at least partially from the under-the-table bribes and deals made by lobbyists with no conscience. I obviously can't prove the above, but I've gotten these beliefs from working in the industry that they govern.

I have no doubt about that... I have my own reasons to be cynical of how these things work, which I won't go into here. Having said that, though, they would have to be exceptionally brazen to try banning something without either a strong scientific basis or a large public outcry. One of these is necessary to justify it and make it stick. Without either, they haven't got a leg to stand on... maybe things are different in the USA though?

 

[Baditude]

I have no doubt about that... I have my own reasons to be cynical of how these things work, which I won't go into here. Having said that, though, they would have to be exceptionally brazen to try banning something without either a strong scientific basis or a large public outcry. One of these is necessary to justify it and make it stick. Without either, they haven't got a leg to stand on... maybe things are different in the USA though?

Ohhh. Now I understand your perspective more clearly. I hadn't noticed that you are in Europe. Yes, things are different here.

Aren't you aware that "e-cigs" are banned in many countries? They are banned in certain counties here in the US. I believe Canada has banned nicotine e-liquids. It seems the legality of e-cigs is going in the wrong direction across the globe. And the reasons for it are totally illogical and unscientific.

 

[hausmouse]

to be honest, I don't feel the need to. What's important is that 'I' don't have to stink up my own hair/clothes/breath any more and I'm happy about that. In my social circle I'm the ONLY vaper I know... hence I get a lot of attention for it and I just wish that I could talk about it for what it is, not for what it's not, if you get my drift. Do I really HAVE to explain that there's no fire /burning / tar etc. involved, or can I just say - "yeah it's blueberry, pineapple and lime flavour... yummy!"

i know what you mean, i know one other vaper that i see a couple times a month but its not really discussed. My personal feeling when somebody comes up to hassle me about it and aren't actually interested in finding out about it is "what's your problem, what did i do to you?" The same i did with cigarettes and people told me how bad it was for my health. I'd be nowhere near them or anyone else and they'd feel the need to hassle me about it. people just don't have enough problems of their own

 

[Aymoon]

@baditude - "Aren't you aware that "e-cigs" are banned in many countries? They are banned in certain counties here in the US. I believe Canada has banned nicotine e-liquids. It seems the legality of e-cigs is going in the wrong direction across the globe. And the reasons for it are totally illogical and unscientific."

No, I wasn't aware of that and I am shocked! I'm going to have to educate myself a lot more! Thanks for that. Wrong direction pretty much sums it up :/

@hausmouse - "people just don't have enough problems of their own"

That made me laugh out loud! yeah, very true

What a world we live in

 

[Baditude]

@baditude - "Aren't you aware that "e-cigs" are banned in many countries? They are banned in certain counties here in the US. I believe Canada has banned nicotine e-liquids. It seems the legality of e-cigs is going in the wrong direction across the globe. And the reasons for it are totally illogical and unscientific."

No, I wasn't aware of that and I am shocked! I'm going to have to educate myself a lot more! Thanks for that. Wrong direction pretty much sums it up :/

Just to show you how bad it is getting in the US, the fine residents in New York city no longer have the option to choose for themselves how large of a soda that they can order from a restuarant. The city goverment has decided that they know better than them what is more healthy so they have made it a law that restuarants can no longer sell giant-sized soda's in an attempt to combat obesity. This sort of thing is beginning to happen all over the US, and people are slowly losing their right to free choice.

This is a politically correct form of prejudice and biasis against obesity. Do you think government's ignorance and prejudices of "e-cigarettes" is going to go any better?