vaping is NOT smoking!!

[Jman8]

I'm in the camp that says there is a, rather clear, distinction between vaping and smoking.

Yet, I think this comes down to target audience and more so, who cares what others think, really?

If current smoker approached us (vapers) and said, "I really love smoking, but don't like the poor health effects." I believe many here, perhaps myself included, would persuade the person to consider vaping instead, and would insinuate that vaping is just like smoking, at some point. If that person were to say something like, "I heard vaping is nothing like smoking and I really love smoking," I'm curious how those, in the same camp that I am, would handle the situation. Methinks you'd say something along lines of, "it is a lot like smoking, virtually the same."

But if non-smoker or ex-smoker approaches us and says things like that mentioned in OP, then suddenly it is us saying, "they are completely different."

I as dual user can lay honest claim to the fact that I am no longer addicted to smoking. So, not sure how the addiction thing really matters when the perception is (among the vast majority) that smoking at any amount is inherently bad. Therefore the substitute is seen as very closely the same.... type of problem.

We are having this discussion on a thread, in a sub-forum titled, "General E-Smoking Discussion." That name will stick because smokers need to know that it is virtually the same and that there is a suitable alternative which amounts to THR.

I can very much relate to need to vent in way OP did, and pretty sure I've done similar thread/post here on ECF. Yet nowadays, I mostly don't care about others opinions unless they really want to walk through the distinctions and have civil discussion. If they want to just preach ANTZ rhetoric, then I'm apt to say it is smoking, for you, not for me and am very glad to tackle your issues with smoking first before we get to vaping. Let me know when you are up to the task.

 

[jpargana]

It gripes me to no end that "smoker" has been replaced by "nicotine user" for health insurance classifications. I'm purposely heading toward 4mg nic juices to save that $200 a month on health insurance. I'm down from 24mg to 11mg right now and have been to 8mg with no issues. I think I can do 4mg and be just fine. Vaping for me is more about something to do with my hands than satisfying a nic addiction.

The cotinine test parameters are sensitive enough to detect "second hand smoke" and that's why they allow small hits in nic detection. People on this forum have titrated down to 4mg and passed the cotinine test before. We'll see.

IMO, a little nic is good for the brain when you get older.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/027858469290069Q

The new trend in "health control" is to simply move the goalposts...

That's how we suddendly got a lot more "diabetics", "obese people" and "people who suffer from high blood pressure".


Because "health experts" have lowered the standards for "normal" blood sugar, "normal" weight and "normal" pressure...


Suddenly, "health organizations" and "coalitions" found a new army of people to take care for! In a while, perfectly normal people will have to hear said organizations telling them how they should rule their own perfecly normal lives! For the 'childrum'...!

 

[Guma]

You know, and most definitely feel, the change you made in your life by quitting smoking and started vaping. THAT is what is important! You have taken steps to a healthier you, and it will benefit you and EVERYONE around you. You can't rationalize with people who have a closed mind or a misconceived perception of vaping. Do your best to explain vaping, if you feel you must, but never walk away from a conversation like that feeling like you have let that person down in some way. Most likely they are jealous of your accomplishment and don't know how to share in your excitement.

 

[skoony]

Well, if that's true, I imagine that's because in past people did not intake nicotine (in the quantities that are in tobacco) in other vehicles, other than tobacco. Human studies where people, who were not already nicotine users, and were given nicotine, would definitely be unethical, so I'm not surprised if these studies never took place. I would expect there would have been animal studies and if you have seen any, I would be interested in seeing those. Now that people are vaping, my guess is that studies will be done. I am aware of the additives that are used in cigarette manufacture and the health issues associated with the inhalation of combusted materials. This is why I switched to vaping. While nicotine isn't, by far, the worst ingredient in cigarettes, it does have negative health implications for some people. All the being said, and seeing the small numbers of vapers who quit vaping or want to quit vaping, I expect that nicotine is addictive to some extent.

the subjects knew they were receiving nicotine.heres a good link explaining it better than i can.
The Great Nicotine Myth

regards
mike

 

[skoony]

If a person has quit inhaling smoke, then by definition, that person has quit smoking. Nevermind the nicotine, we were not called "nicotine-addicts", we were called smokers. The stigma we suffered was all about smoke and it's health-related problems, not about the relatively harmless nicotine.

just a heads up. the ANTZ are slowly moving away from anti-smoking to nicotine addiction in their rhetoric.this is a deliberate strategy as they know with out the smoke there is no harm. any harm the vapor may cause if any is so small compared to smoke it renders all their health claims moot.
regards
mike

 

[wjosephsimmons]

I just tell them that there are more toxic chemicals coming out of their .... when they fart than my PV releases when I vape. The nose knows!

 

[choochoogranny]

jpargana, exactly! Over the past 5 yrs when having annual physicals have noticed the "normal" parameters changed DOWNWARD. When asked the drs. about this, they just shrug their shoulders. So, I've become PRE diabetic and must purchase an at home kit to keep track. No drug taken.....yet. I've also had to deal now with high blood pressure and had to purchase a blood pressure kit plus take medication. Also, cholesterol is kinda high now and must purchase medication........

Under the old parameters, I would have been "normal"......Who makes all these things I now have to buy?

AND, for those who aren't in retirement yet and have had to deal with Medicare and adjunct ins., it is required by the Fed. Gov. that blood pressure, diabeties and cholesteral tests are included amongst other tests in your annual physical with modest co-pay. Depending on the kind of drug you wind up taking, there's where the costs are.

 

[Tomthern]

I think you're right. I get the same thing. My Mom says the same thing. My doctor disagrees she wrote me down as a nonsmoker. I feel better than I ever did and that's what I care about. Congrats on the 100 days.

 

[Tangaroav]

....... Well vaping is not smoking and I think I have accomplished something! I just wish others saw it the way we see it. Bottom line, vaping is not smoking and I think we all have accomplished something great by quitting smoking!!! Just wish others saw it the same way...

Absolutly right and good for you, we ALL know it is a great accomplishement. WE know it is NOT smoking.

The ANTZ associate vaping with smoking and are brainwashing the masses.

But, it is us who call our vaporizers, e-cigarette and we frequent a, ( great), forum called E-Cigarette Forum with a e-smoking section and we shop e-cigarettes. I personnaly, (a waste of time I know), always correct people I meet and use the word e-cigarette. I answer back, no this is a vaporizer ...etc.

At least the word vaping was introduced to the vocabulary and is sticking.

 

[Amraann]

jpargana, exactly! Over the past 5 yrs when having annual physicals have noticed the "normal" parameters changed DOWNWARD. When asked the drs. about this, they just shrug their shoulders. So, I've become PRE diabetic and must purchase an at home kit to keep track. No drug taken.....yet. I've also had to deal now with high blood pressure and had to purchase a blood pressure kit plus take medication. Also, cholesterol is kinda high now and must purchase medication........

Under the old parameters, I would have been "normal"......Who makes all these things I now have to buy?

AND, for those who aren't in retirement yet and have had to deal with Medicare and adjunct ins., it is required by the Fed. Gov. that blood pressure, diabeties and cholesteral tests are included amongst other tests in your annual physical with modest co-pay. Depending on the kind of drug you wind up taking, there's where the costs are.

So true!!

My BIL is in his mid-30's and they have him on medications for the above mentioned except diabeties.
He has never smoked, is in very good shape,plays in Basketball tournaments and yet they have him on drugs for all of these stupid things.

It is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[bluecat]

Absolutly right and good for you, we ALL know it is a great accomplishement. WE know it is NOT smoking.

The ANTZ associate vaping with smoking and are brainwashing the masses.

But, it is us who call our vaporizers, e-cigarette and we frequent a, ( great), forum called E-Cigarette Forum with a e-smoking section and we shop e-cigarettes. I personnaly, (a waste of time I know), always correct people I meet and use the word e-cigarette. I answer back, no this is a vaporizer ...etc.

At least the word vaping was introduced to the vocabulary and is sticking.

You can call it whatever you want to.. Heck call it a Widget X. Doesn't really matter they still would have came down in droves on it. Mainly saying now we are trying to cover up what it really is.

Anyway.. if it was never called an e-cigarette I would have never tried it. I am sure many of us are in that category. Call it what you want.. I am perfectly happy calling it an ecig and I do not need to be corrected when I call it one.

 

[Tangaroav]

OK, ok cool, don't get hot and bothered. I was really talking about correcting the non-initiated. All I am saying is that it is a vaporizer. Is it not ?

That's all, There is nothing else in my comment. That and the fact that all over the word and in all languages, (that I know), the vaping vocabulary is the same as the cigarette vocabulary, and the ANTZ use it to brainwash the masses.

P.S. : I personnaly would have tried vaping whatever it is called, but that's me.

 

[bluecat]

Not hot and bothered. Sorry if I came off that way. Sure it is a vaporizer of sorts. If someone would have told me to use a vaporizer I would have thought of this.

Vicks Vaporizers

We are allowed to be different and think differently. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Tangaroav]

Not hot and bothered. Sorry if I came off that way. Sure it is a vaporizer of sorts. If someone would have told me to use a vaporizer I would have thought of this.

Vicks Vaporizers

We are allowed to be different and think differently. There is nothing wrong with that.

I agree about the Vicks

 

[turbocad6]

Well, have you quit smoking or not? Which one is it?

Sorry, but I must disagree.

If a person has quit inhaling smoke, then by definition, that person has quit smoking. Nevermind the nicotine, we were not called "nicotine-addicts", we were called smokers. The stigma we suffered was all about smoke and it's health-related problems, not about the relatively harmless nicotine.

Tomato, potatoes, eggplant, all those have nicotine. Is it fair to classify those as "tobacco products"? NRT's have ALWAYS nicotine in them. (We, at least, can choose zero nic). There are people who have been using NRT's for years. Are they considered smokers?

Suppose you tell someone who was once a drunkard, whose health has suffered from alchool abuse, and who has been drinking NON-alchoolic beer for some years already: "You promised you would quit drinking, but you are still drinking THAT!!".

Well, "that" has no alchool in it. So, that person can honestly tell you that "I've not drank a single drop of alchool in the last few years". Even if this drink still resembles beer, and still has many other things we can find in regular beer.


An NRT "addict" is not considered a smoker, and maybe he is even congratulated because he has managed to quit smoking. Well, so have we. IMO, telling a vaper that he's still a smoker is both unaccurate and unfair.

the honest answer I give to myself as to weather I have quit smoking or not is "yes and no",.. yes, technically I have quit smoking cigarettes but I do still vape as a substitute which can and will still be considered"smoking" to many... I have quit smoking cigarettes but I still vape, which is synonymous to smoking in many ways...

technically bill wasn't lying when he pointed into the audience and said "I have not had sexual relations with that woman,... monica lewinsky" because technically he can claim that he was talking to monica, and he was telling her that he did not have sexual relations with the woman he was actually pointing to... if you are the kind of person who likes to let yourself off on a technicality then yeah you can run around telling everyone you quit that nasty habit and cigarettes no longer have a hold over you, but I will submit that what you have actually done is not quit, but substituted what it is that you now smoke, you have quit smoking cigarettes and now smoke from a vaporizer but you still puff on a regular basis and you have no intentions of weaning yourself off of that, so you're not a quitter you have just substituted a horrible habit for one that is much safer


if you are going to really be honest with yourself then ask yourself one simple question.... if all of your vaping apparatus was suddenly taken away from you and you had no means to obtain any other form of electronic cigarette, would you wind up going back to smoking? if you answer yes then the truth is you have not really beaten that vice, it still has it's hold on you, you have just found a substitute. ok yeah technically you can claim to have quit smoking cigarettes but you have to see the difference between what you are doing and what someone who "really quit" has done... someone who has given up smoking and all of it's substitutes can really claim to have quit, you can't put yourself in the same light in my opinion, unless you like making excuses to yourself...

in the end I freely admit that I don't want to quit vaping, I enjoy it and I want to do it and if I couldn't then I would very likely wind up going back to smoking, so I don't feel that I can legitimately claim to have quit smoking the same way someone who "really" quit can claim that, so while the sil here was stuck on that point I still say who cares? what I feel bad about is that the op was hurt by this, and this is the point I'm trying to get across, labels mean nothing, some will consider vaping not smoking and some will say it's synonymous enough that it's really not so different but who cares about labels or what someone else thinks, you have to be happy with yourself and true to yourself, only then can nothing anyone else can say will hurt you

I know many here want to believe that vaping is not the same as smoking, and of course it is not the same at all, but it is also not the same as quitting, it is a substitute for smoking and honestly I believe that most here if they had all vaporizers suddenly unavailable to them would wind up going back to smoking... if you can honestly say to yourself that you would never go back to smoking even if you couldn't vape and really mean it, then I'd shake your hand and say congrats on quitting, until then you are substituting and that's perfectly fine...

 

[turbocad6]

the car is smoking= steam is coming from under the hood... who says the car is vaping?... smoke emits from a chimney of a steam engine, anyone and everyone would naturally call it smoke... you put something up to your mouth and take a drag, then blow out "smoke", to anyone who doesn't smoke at all, they can still say that you are "smoking" because in some sense of the word you are "smoking", you are blowing clouds of "smoke" therefore you are smoking, not a cigarette mind you but saying it's not smoke it's vapor is just playing on semantics to some people and I can't say they are entirely wrong, yeah you can argue on technicalities but you are still puffing smoke and feeding your vice so saying you quit just isn't entirely true

 

[faile]

the car is smoking= steam is coming from under the hood... who says the car is vaping?... smoke emits from a chimney of a steam engine, anyone and everyone would naturally call it smoke... you put something up to your mouth and take a drag, then blow out "smoke", to anyone who doesn't smoke at all, they can still say that you are "smoking" because in some sense of the word you are "smoking", you are blowing clouds of "smoke" therefore you are smoking, not a cigarette mind you but saying it's not smoke it's vapor is just playing on semantics to some people and I can't say they are entirely wrong, yeah you can argue on technicalities but you are still puffing smoke and feeding your vice so saying you quit just isn't entirely true

Actually, if steam is coming from the engine, I'm going to say, "the car is steaming." If it's smoke coming from the engine, I'll say, "the car is smoking." Yeah, it's semantics, but that's because semantics = the meaning of words. I personally prefer to use the word that actually means what I'm talking about, so that's what I do. I do agree with you that the general public is not usually so specific/ careful/ knowledgeable about using the right word for things, but I don't think that translates to "vaping = smoking" either. Semantics are important; that's (one of the things that) make language work.

 

[bluecat]

To me.. It is I quit smoking cigarettes. I just fail to add the cigarettes to the end of the statement. 30 years I smoked cigarettes. I would excuse myself from the table or friends to go have a smoke, not smoke a cigarette.

Like people stated.. semantics.

 

[Tangaroav]

............

I know many here want to believe that vaping is not the same as smoking, and of course it is not the same at all, but it is also not the same as quitting, it is a substitute for smoking and honestly I believe that most here if they had all vaporizers suddenly unavailable to them would wind up going back to smoking... if you can honestly say to yourself that you would never go back to smoking even if you couldn't vape and really mean it, then I'd shake your hand and say congrats on quitting, until then you are substituting and that's perfectly fine...

Vaping is not the same as smoking. I think we all agree here. Nicotine addiction is something else. I my book nicotine addiction while vaping is not detrimental to my health or to the second vapor exposed, just like patches and gums and similar, ( although this remains to be proven in the case of vaping).

Most of us have quit smoking, and most of us are probably still addicted to nic.... That's it, that's all.

 

[MN_Mike]

My stepmother gives me a hard time about it. She griped about me smoking cigarettes, now she gets on my case about vaping. She quit smoking decades ago and knows the difference and knows it's safer but it's still bad for you. I'm going to get a beat down for this, but she does have a point. We're not smoking cigarettes and vaping is much safer, but we're still putting foreign matter into our respiratory system..which is never a good idea. I know some people are going to say "Yeah, but we breathe in car exhaust and pollution and eating food that has chemicals in it..etc." which doesn't matter. We're choosing to do this. Vaping is definitely better than smoking, but it's not exactly "healthy"