What's with all the hostility smokers?

[yohann976]

On a previous post, I decided not attempt to persuade any of my smoker friends to quit and use e-cigs. What I've noticed is that everyone seems to have questions and/or opinions. I've pretty much categorize every person into either smoker or nonsmoker because what they say is like night and day.

I've noticed that nonsmokers ask a lot more questions. They tend to ask about the benefits of an e-cig. They seem to be very interested in what the juice is made out of. I get a lot of questions about nicotine specifically. Their comments are usually pretty positive. I'll get a, "Good for you!" quite often. I get a tremendous amount of encouragement from nonsmokers.

Smokers, on the other hand, are very negative about it. Like I said, I don't talk about vaping to them anymore. If I'm around someone who is lighting up a cig, I'll take out my e-cig (force of habit I guess). Now, they come up to me and express their wonderful opinions, lol. They call it a novelty, a gimmick and stupid. They say discouraging statements like, "You'll be back." Just the other day someone said, "So when are you going to realize that you're trading one crutch for another crutch? Either quit all together or start smoking again."

Sorry about the rant, it's just a little frustrating...especially considering I'm not even trying to have a conversation about how much better I think vaping is compared to smoking! Has anyone noticed this? Also, what have you said to people like this?

 

[JusticeKnuckles]

i totally get what you mean, i wouldn't say its strictly smokers though. I've been told its stupid and i'm doing to get attention haha. I found a lot of people don't believe that its healthier than smoking nor do they want to take the time to listen to what you have to say. One time i was walking around the mall vapping and some teenage girls passed me pretending to cough... it was pretty funny.

 

[brandon555]

Maybe they are just jealous that your "cig" isn't carcinogenic and doesn't make your clothes stink.... I dunno.

 

[yohann976]

Oh yeah, I also get this question a lot: "So, when are you going to quit smoking your electronic cigarette?" I usually reply: "I dunno, when are you going to quit drinking your coffee?"

 

[Sojourn]

I've gotten quite the opposite from my smoking friends. I've got 3 of them to already order their own kits so far. Only negative feedback I've gotten is that I should of been able to quit smoking without having to get into vaping, but that's been from a non-smoker friend of mine that hates anything that even looks like a smoke.

If I was you I'd laugh a little on the inside and turn the other cheek to those that are talking down about it. You're doing whats best for you and once they see the money you're saving plus the health benefits that you're getting out of switching they more than likely will be asking how to get into it themselves later down the road

 

[yohann976]

I've gotten quite the opposite from my smoking friends. I've got 3 of them to already order their own kits so far. Only negative feedback I've gotten is that I should of been able to quit smoking without having to get into vaping, but that's been from a non-smoker friend of mine that hates anything that even looks like a smoke.

If I was you I'd laugh a little on the inside and turn the other cheek to those that are talking down about it. You're doing whats best for you and once they see the money you're saving plus the health benefits that you're getting out of switching they more than likely will be asking how to get into it themselves later down the road

Maybe I need new smoking friends, hahaha. I'm kidding. You're right about turning the other cheek. It's just challenging not to go off on them because this is a product that I really, really believe in. Maybe the longer they see me vaping, the more likely they'll accept it and perhaps switch.

 

[jbblack]

I guess I've been lucky...most of the smokers that I know have been pretty curious about it; the rest keep their mouths shut. I usually keep a blank carto on me along with my trusty bottle o' juice. Then when one gets curious, I drip about 6 drops in the atty end of the blank and let them try it for themselves. Then when I get home, I wipe the outside of the carto down with vodka to sterilize, and put it back in my case for the next tester. It's a pretty effective method; in the past week alone several of the testers have purchased starter kits and had me show them how to refill. Now if I could just talk Smoketip or V4L into giving me a commission...I guess I'll have to settle for the vouchers for free cartos.

As far as doing it for attention goes, isn't that the reason that people attack others' choices--to get attention? And as far as trading one crutch for another goes, I would agree completely and add that there's nothing wrong with picking the crutch that's safer, more socially responsible, and cheaper.

 

[Rosa]

Just respond to their rude assumptions with questions, not only does it make them think about it but it's also annoying as heck:

them: Isn't that one of those 'fake' cigarettes?
you: Is it?
them: I hear they're even worse than smoking!
you: Or are they?
them: well you could od on nicotine!
you: Or could I?
them: you should just go cold turkey - I knew someone who did that once.
you: Or did they?

 

[yohann976]

Just respond to their rude assumptions with questions, not only does it make them think about it but it's also annoying as heck:

them: Isn't that one of those 'fake' cigarettes?
you: Is it?
them: I hear they're even worse than smoking!
you: Or are they?
them: well you could od on nicotine!
you: Or could I?
them: you should just go cold turkey - I knew someone who did that once.
you: Or did they?

I love it!

 

[jbblack]

One quick thing though...my boss was the first I knew that got an electronic smoke. I gave her hell about it because really I thought it was just a cheap substitute for "the real thing" that she'd quickly abandon when the new wore off. But as I saw more at the office, I went ahead and gave it a try.

Part of the problem I think, at least with me, was that I'd seen people quit smoking only to become self-righteous, nagging anti-smokers who'd pretty much spread their misery around before breaking down and bumming smokes on the sly before getting started back up. I suspect that may be the case with hostile smokers like you're seeing; they may just be getting defensive because they think you might be about to judge them or belittle them. If you go in with the idea of "well, this is just how I do it," folks tend to drop the defensiveness pretty quick.

 

[jbblack]

Just respond to their rude assumptions with questions, not only does it make them think about it but it's also annoying as heck:

them: Isn't that one of those 'fake' cigarettes?
you: Is it?
them: I hear they're even worse than smoking!
you: Or are they?
them: well you could od on nicotine!
you: Or could I?
them: you should just go cold turkey - I knew someone who did that once.
you: Or did they?

That's just EVIL!

....and completely hilarious!

 

[dormouse]

One guy the other day posted here about how HE was one of those smokers. He thought we were all delusional and lying about vaping being great and just patting each other on the back to be able stand vaping instead of smoking. He started vaping himself and posted to say he was wrong about us and it really was good.

 

[yohann976]

One quick thing though...my boss was the first I knew that got an electronic smoke. I gave her hell about it because really I thought it was just a cheap substitute for "the real thing" that she'd quickly abandon when the new wore off. But as I saw more at the office, I went ahead and gave it a try.

Part of the problem I think, at least with me, was that I'd seen people quit smoking only to become self-righteous, nagging anti-smokers who'd pretty much spread their misery around before breaking down and bumming smokes on the sly before getting started back up. I suspect that may be the case with hostile smokers like you're seeing; they may just be getting defensive because they think you might be about to judge them or belittle them. If you go in with the idea of "well, this is just how I do it," folks tend to drop the defensiveness pretty quick.

I believe you're right about that. I used to get defensive even if someone would simply ask if I was going outside to smoke again. I wouldn't be surprised if they got defensive if I was preaching about e-cigs, but I'm not. Perhaps I can view their negativity as a preemptive strike in anticipation for a lecture about how smoking is bad.

 

[Evie]

I have had quite the opposite reaction from my smoking buddies. It may have something to do with me living in the backwoods of Mississippi (Direct quote, "Is that there one of them electric smokey thingies?" lol), but the most prevalent response I have gotten from smokers and non-smokers alike is curiosity. After a TON of questions, about half of my smoking friends have asked where I got my PV.

You may be running into what a lot of people who quit smoking do... smokers who have tried to quit and failed or feel like they don't have the willpower to quit trashing on you. Some people are just petty and dislike people who do what they haven't. By you kicking analogs, it makes them think about their smoking and that they should quit (or reminds them of failed attempts at quitting). Some people resent that. It's akin to high school when the jocks would make fun of the geeks because they were smarter and the geeks would make fun of the jocks because they were stronger. I don't understand it but (most likely) their negative reactions are stemming from jealousy.

As far as the getting attention comment, I'm the type that would do something slightly off-putting to show them the difference

 

[GMoney]

Just respond to their rude assumptions with questions, not only does it make them think about it but it's also annoying as heck:

them: Isn't that one of those 'fake' cigarettes?
you: Is it?
them: I hear they're even worse than smoking!
you: Or are they?
them: well you could od on nicotine!
you: Or could I?
them: you should just go cold turkey - I knew someone who did that once.
you: Or did they?

Ha Ha! ROFL!

You are a devious woman, Rosa.


yohann - I can't imagine anyone saying that stuff to me, maybe I am too scary, lol. I think you should just take it good naturedly. I would just sort of agree with them at first - "That's exactly what I thought ... before I tried it" - "I totally understand why you would think that ... if you haven't tried it". This kind of "validation" is very disarming,

 

[xg4bx]

I'm a ....... so id just shrug and tell them to enjoy their cancer.

 

[dwfogleman]

i have actually had the opposite, at work and at home i receive a lot of positive feedback, and have converted 3 people at my job. its week 2 and i already feel the difference.

 

[vapi]

Yup, what the OP said. The only person that took the time to research was my non-smoking father. He loves talking about PV's and how they operate. He's on a mission to convert smokers after seeing how easy I switched over. This sure beats the heart disease pamphlets he used to leave lying around for me! I told him to proceed with caution, pv's take commitment and patience, expect resistance. But I think it's funny that a non-smoker is trying to convert smokers.

 

[CrowingOne]

Considering the polarizing nature of smoking right now, it doesn't surprise me.

I mean, NYC just banned smoking in parks and other "public areas". There have been several "no smoking within 20 feet of a doorway" laws popping up in the northeast, as well. It's all ridiculous (as if legislators wanted to stomp it out they could just ban cigarettes, but that's not as easy as it sounds), but people get all up in arms.

I've actually found that kids can be the most obnoxious about it. I'd say that it's a good thing that kids are being taught that cigarettes/tobacco is, essentially, evil but I wish they'd keep their mouths shut. Most people who complain/badger smokers think they have some moral obligation. Few of the loudmouths understand addiction.

On the other side, smokers have been made into mythical devils and are forced to justify and apologize every step of the way. So they, too, tend to get defensive because after the 20th person on the street is an ..., you start to get sick of it.

 

[francis_a]

Rosa, that was brilliant!!!

I guess people are just like that. Heck, even here in at ECF, I read one post where the poster said that "If you used to smoke 1/2 pad or less, why don't you just quit altogether .........", i.e. not even vape. That's within our community.