What's with all the hostility smokers?

[MickeyRat]

I'm going to say that I've seen the opposite as well. There's been a fair amount of interest among the smokers I know. The non-smokers are either curious or amused. The ex-smokers are the only ones that exhibit anything like hostility.

Personally, I think there will be laws restricting the use of these devices though. At least, there will be some movement in that direction. There's a segment out there that says they hate smoking but, they really enjoy hating smokers.

 

[eeyore72]

I had att tech in my house one day. Asked me oh that one of those e cig. I had one but it died. I am like why did it die. He like the flavor ran out. I told him you know there are vendors that sell juices for them. Told him some of the flavors I had and show him one or two of the bottles. He was like oh really. So I gave him one of the vendor business card and told him to go to the website. I had a neighbor that was his girlfriend to try the ecig. Wants me to go over there and show her. Let me give him my ecig. I am like no you not having my ego. That is gross. I do not want someone else smoking my stick. I told him get her to go to the web and search for vendors. Everyday is when are you going to go over and show her. I am not. Stop smoking is personal choices. I will answer question when they ask. I am not going on stand of showing everybody what it is.

 

[noblas]

It's amusing when people around me asking what is that I'm smoking. Kind of hard to explain to them in details what is e-cig, how to use them, how to refill them, where to buy and lots of other questions. The answer is simple. You have to buy it yourself then from there you'll start learning all of that. Same as for me..

 

[Tracker II]

I really don't notice a trend between smokers and nonsmokers. But let's face it, there is a certain percentage of people in this world who are open-minded and are willing to listen to new ideas and there is a certain percentage who are narrow-minded and tend to look for the negative in any new idea or trend. To the narrow-minded person, most people are "idiots" and any new idea is stupid. Personally, I could care less what these narrow-minded people think and, in general, I try to avoid them.

 

[N2rock]

Just about every smoker that has seen me vaping, has said the same thing "You know those things have anti-freeze in them" And the ever popular "those things ain't safe. Why do you think the FDA wants to get rid of them"

 

[mlinky]

If you were vaping where they were smoking, it would explain the hosility...you are out there with the smokers, using what they perceive as a nicotine cessation device, so you may start preaching at them that they should stop smoking.

Start vaping somewhere that smoking is not allowed, and the smokers will be all over you for info.

I've found the best way to convert smokers is to tell them that a pv allows one to "smoke" where smoking is not allowed. Once they try it with an open mind, quitting is almost natural. That's one of the reasons that I believe the ACS, AHA, et al, by including pvs in their standard proposed anti-smoking laws, are literally killing people.

 

[Pip-Boy]

I haven't had any negative responses. None verbal anyway. A lot of curiosity. I have been in sitting at the bar in restaurants, reading a book and unconsciously pull out my PV and started vaping. Only one bartender told me I couldn't smoke, then I explained, and he was cool. Twice, while sitting outside at cafes, servers have put ashtrays on my table. I just laughed and pushed them back their way. All the smokers who have questioned me ask for websites they can check out. I tell them about ECF and a couple of online vendors, and tell them to avoid mall kiosks.

 

[ShannonA]

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.

Quite right and let's face it Nicotene is not the only legal crutch on the market. There are few people who don't have some sort of crutch. Coffee, alcohol, even chocolate, sugar, and potato chips can be used as crutches of sorts. I aplaud people who have the discipline lo lead a completelyhealthy lifestyle and stay away from ALL those things but most of us (non smokers included) simply do not.

 

[thunter]

I had an opposite experience. Like another poster on this thread I have had three friends also switch to the same PV as me. They mainly were jealous that I was smoking indoors and they were forced out into the cold! It started with one of them "trying" mine out instead of a cigarette. When she refused to go outside the rest of the night the others were very curious.

I didn't start vaping to quit nicotine. It may be a cessasation device for some, but for me it is an alternate nicotine delivery system. I don't do caffeine, I chose nicotine, leave me alone!!!! At least the vaping, is helping improve my triathlon times!!

Do you know how mad athletes get when you have a cigarette on the podium!! Priceless. Vaping is sooo much better though...I actually vape while biking.

 

[bander68]

I haven't gotten the negative reaction from smokers, but I have found my non-smoking friends are not terribly impressed. To them, I really haven't accomplished anything by switching. I just traded one bad habit for another. It can be a little disheartening when you go to share wonderful news and they just look down their nose and tune out everything you say because they still see "smoke" so I must be fooling myself. Not having ever been smokers, they'll never understand.

 

[DawnsDone]

I get frustrated with the remarks also but the ones I get ALL the time from friends and family is "SO when do you quit doing that?"

I did not start vaping to quit smoking but rather so I could still have a cigarette when I didnt feel like freezing at my mom's house, or so I could enjoy one at the movies, etc. Yet, when I took my first drag of an e-cig I was like "This is awesome, I can quit smoking the day my kit arrives", meaning vaping instead of cigarettes. But that was something I regret saying!!

Now that's all anyone seems to think about! Not "wow you've quit almost two months now!" Nope. People don't consider that I've quit yet, and I'm tired of people asking when I'm going to stop doing this. I've told them I don't plan on stopping it and I get looks as if to say "Then you haven't really quit yet...."

 

[Phantompigbee5]

I get frustrated with the remarks also but the ones I get ALL the time from friends and family is "SO when do you quit doing that?"

I did not start vaping to quit smoking but rather so I could still have a cigarette when I didnt feel like freezing at my mom's house, or so I could enjoy one at the movies, etc. Yet, when I took my first drag of an e-cig I was like "This is awesome, I can quit smoking the day my kit arrives", meaning vaping instead of cigarettes. But that was something I regret saying!!

Now that's all anyone seems to think about! Not "wow you've quit almost two months now!" Nope. People don't consider that I've quit yet, and I'm tired of people asking when I'm going to stop doing this. I've told them I don't plan on stopping it and I get looks as if to say "Then you haven't really quit yet...."

EXACTLY! I vape because I can, I love it, its fun, I may never stop. Is it any different than the wine enthusiast drinking glass after glass of wine looking for the perfect grape? Should we call them an alchoholic? I am just a juice connoisseur in search of the best blend for the ultimate vape experience. Call me addicted people if you must. Ive been called worse!!!!! LOL

 

[mohawkx]

I just started vaping and I'm getting mixed reactions. I live in Arizona where you can't smoke in bars so they set up some clapboard shack, outside area behind the bar by the garbage cans with tables for smokers. They serve beer outside there. Some smokers never come into the bar except to use the restrooms. Well, I took my trusty e-cig with me to the bar last night and proceeded to vape inside. Immediately a bunch of people came over and were very curious. The question was Why? I explained that I'm addicted to nicotine and the hand to mouth experience. This provides both without the tobacco and is much cheaper and healthier than cigarettes. Plus the fact that I can do it in the bar. I ended up giving out this site to 3 people and they said they'd give it a look. Then I went outside to the smoking area and started to vape and they tended to jump on me about it. One called me an "anti-freeze sucker." One said "Why don't you have a man's cigarette". One other said "no phonies allowed out here". All good natured ribbing but in a nasty sort of way. It's a biker bar, sort of. Rough crowd.
I came to the conclusion that the hard core smokers don't want to lose anyone from their crowd as it diminishes them as a group.

 

[Astronomer]

DawnsDone I have the same comments.

I just smile and ask them when they are going to stop drinking beer, and eating Pizza, and they tell me how they are dinking less and eating pizza that is better for them

And then I hold up my eGo and smile

 

[ShannonA]

DawnsDone I have the same comments.

I just smile and ask them when they are going to stop drinking beer, and eating Pizza, and they tell me how they are dinking less and eating pizza that is better for them

And then I hold up my eGo and smile

Love that one. I bet a lot of people get quiet after that.

 

[Astronomer]

Actually, quite a few of them have come around as they have seen me try to stop smoking for years and years, my kids used to beg me to have a cigarette before I killed one of them.

They are a little shocked that someone as addicted as I am, has stopped, with no problems at all.

 

[ctourtelot]

I caught a lot of flack when I started using them as well. I almost got laughed out of the poker league I'm in, but almost 2 years later, I can't go to poker without 5 people asking where to get them or if they can try it out. Oddly enough, the people who are coming around are the ones who gave me the most grief in the beginning.

 

[Atari]

I have noticed the exact same results, smokers seems like they just dont want to hear it, or as most of my friends respond....Wuss. But while my loving better half is supportive it reaches a breaking point with her when Christmas arrives in the mail and I have new flavors or toys to try out it becomes "than damn fake cigarette crap again" but im a techie to begin with and this is just a whole new world for me to explore. I spend way too much time on here looking for e cig conversation to sustain my curiosity. I think the biggest thing that keeps me vaping is that its not just a nic replacement device its a hobby and ever a passion. I just cant say that anywhere but here lol

 

[Rosa]

....its not just a nic replacement device its a hobby and ever a passion. I just cant say that anywhere but here lol

yeah, funny how we never discussed our tobacco cigarettes this way....



"OOOHh, did you see the new packaging on the camel crush box?"
"OMG, no way!"
"I've been dying to try those!"
"Where did you get the ones with the new packaging?"
"Is it better than the old packaging?"
"I just bought the marlboros, but I might get those too!"

 

[Secti0n31]

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?

LMAO Rosa that cracked me up, I needed a good laugh.

Can't you OD on nicotine? "Yeah, sure, if you drank this whole bottle you might die. Then again you might just puke and live in agony for a few days before you decide never to do it again."

To me ODing on nicotine is like trying to OD on tylenol. BAD IDEA!!!