Whats in a name?

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Esharp

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What's in a name? I've been pondering over "e-cigarette vs personal vaporizer". When people ask me what I am puffing on, I tell them it's a personal vaporizer. I really don't want to make an association with a cigarette, that's why I don't tell people it's an e-cigarette. As an ex smoker (thx to PV's), there is allot of backlash to smoking. People who don't smoke or vape seem to be more receptive to the words "personal vaporizer". At least that's my thought. Any other opinions out there on this?
 

Thrasher

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It is mainly because the "ecig" is being marketed and in peoples faces now that the packages are appearing in stores and on tv, the girl at work keeps asking me for a light, I tell her I don't smoke, and she replies well I don't know how those eciggy things work. be glad you have a chance at maybe making a difference in someones life, almost no one around here even looks twice, even when I'm sitting/ standing right next to them lol
 

Thrasher

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I been trying lol, I bother everyone who even looks at it for a second, tell em how much better i feel, the lack of toxins, they should come to ECF and check out some stories. etc etc.
i wont leave my boss alone, while not ready to try just yet I can see the way she watches when I'm puffing lately, thinking bout it
 

StereoDreamer

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What's in a name? I've been pondering over "e-cigarette vs personal vaporizer". When people ask me what I am puffing on, I tell them it's a personal vaporizer. I really don't want to make an association with a cigarette, that's why I don't tell people it's an e-cigarette. As an ex smoker (thx to PV's), there is allot of backlash to smoking. People who don't smoke or vape seem to be more receptive to the words "personal vaporizer". At least that's my thought. Any other opinions out there on this?

I tend to agree with you. It's a lot like the use of the words "weapon" versus "firearm" when we talkabout handguns carried for self-defense, or semi-automatic rifles used in competition here in the US. The word "weapon" carries with it a lot of emotional baggage with many people--they associate "weapons" with offensive action, warfare and attacks.

"Firearms" on the other hand, has a much more academic or historical sound to it, and for many people, the connotations are much less emotionally charged.

The same goes for e-cigs. The words we use are VERY important. The propaganda being spewed by the "Antis" is specifically engineered to evoke emotional, visceral, negative responses, and they tie the word "cigarette" with ugly, disgusting, repulsive and offensive emotions.

The term "personal vaporizer", much like the term "firearm" has an academic sound to it. Vaporizers come in all sorts of forms--and most of them are actually healthy--medical devices for people with asthma or COPD, humidifiers for our children, and other such healthful devices.

By envoking this association with healthful devices, we open the doors of perception to non-vapers and non-smokers, and allow them to examine what it is that we are really all about. Instead of having to fight against the negative brainwashing they have been subjected to by the antis about cigarettes, we enter into the conversation "ahead of the curve" when we use the term "PV", because their subconscious mind associates the term "vaporizer" with something healthful or therapeutic, and NOT something that causes cancer, stinks, and litters the streets...

Words have meaning--very powerful meaning. The can be used to vilify or glorify, to entrap or liberate, to enslave or to uplift. And by understanding how people process words, and how certain words bring up emotions, memories or even propaganda-based programming, we can do an end-run around the brainwashing that people live under, and show them the wonders, joys, fun, and healthfulness of Vaping without having to struggle against the associations with decades of negative anti-smoking vitriol.

Choose your words wisely. Making converts (or simply avoiding a confrontation) is ALL about perception, and if the person you are talking to perceives your activity as lawful, healthful, responsible and beneficial, they will be MUCH more willing to investigate--and eventually accept--your position.
 

Esharp

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Well worded StereoDreamer. That's what I wanted to say. You have a gift. I remember the Gulf War. The had Scud missiles and Patriot Missiles. True propaganda, good missiles and bad missiles. As vapors we know PV's are good from our own experience. When we remove the word cigarette from the equation, then we remove the negative connotations that go with it. My belief is, by referring to our devices as PV's we are educating the uneducated, thus, they look at our devices in a different light. As vapors we face a publicity war, a war we must win.
 

Tanks

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I agree with those of you who call it a personal vaporizer or as lctrc said, a nicotine inhaler. I think that calling it an e-cigarette is a bad idea for this "movement". It will automatically trigger certain thoughts from people when they hear e-cigarette. Which, if you ask me, should be avoided and they should be educated instead of being lazy and saying it's an e-cig to avoid having to explain what a PV is.

I currently try to hide my vaping from my boss because, though it's perfectly legal and harmless, he will say I can't use it inside the buidling just to be an .... But when I'm out and about I puff away hoping that people see and ask so I can teach them a little bit. I don't know much about vaping but I know enough to explain it to an average joe.

Last but not least, I'm very happy I stumbled upon this forum/community. There is a great wealth of knowledge scattered throughout and, as far as I've seen, a lot of friendly and all-around good people who share a common interest. That being, staying away from analog cigarettes. I can only imagine how mad big Pharm and big Tobacco Companies are at the potential PV's have to destroy their scams/income.
 
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conflator

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Well Thrasher, one of my goals is to help my smoking buddies convert to vaping. I know I have sparked their interest, and one is going to store on the weekend to get a kit. I know personally I feel better, it's been 7 weeks, and I'm spreading the gospel.

Congratulations, and keep spreading the good word!

I refer to it as different things, depending on context, and I haven't really settled on what's best yet. If asked, I'll tell people it's what helped me quit smoking. After that, if I'm talking to a smoker, I'm more likely to refer to it as an e-cig, if a non smoker, a vaporizer.

I've called it an e-cig a couple of times when talking to non-smokers, and I could see them almost instantly switch off, so I try to avoid that now.
 

vsummer1

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If I am in a bar drinking, it is my P.E.N.I.S. = personal electronic nicotine inhalation system. If I am anywhere else, it is simply my nicotine inhaler - which uses the same ingredient in an asthma inhaler. That pretty much shuts up the freaks who want to tell me they are bad etc, and anyone interested will want more information. Sometimes it is my portable hookah. But NEVER is it an e-cig.

Time and place matter, as does the audience.
 

vsummer1

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Exactly, it all comes down to how busy I am, how interested/ receptive that person seems or what I'm trying to get way with i.e. vape in a restaurant or bar.

Different strokes for different folks.

Anyone else been vaping in public, had people walk by and do the fake cough? Pretty hilarious..

That fake cough gets my ......-off meter maxed out in a heartbeat. I always ask if they are okay, and guess what? They always are! I am waiting for the one idiot to comment, so far they have all been okay. I mean, really, I would hate to think they were choking or something and that little cough was their last dying sound and I just ignored it...
 
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