Why do vapers expect to be treated differently than smokers?

[wv2win]

So, i vape respectfully.
I vape in bars, because it's allowed-even though smoking is not. It's allowed in restaurants too, but i generally don't vape at the table.

But here's the thing, in my city I expect vaping to be treated differently because the city smoking ordinance specifies that the smoking restrictions do NOT include vaping . That's because i took the time to educate city council members. I sent them emails with references, i wrote letters to the newspaper, and i went to the public hearings and made my case.

I didn't do it by myself. Bar owners also supported exempting vaping, and others wrote to the city council and CASAA supported me all the way, but i was the only regular citizen asking for the right to vape at the two council hearings. And they listened.

I still vape respectfully, but I can vape where smoking isn't allowed, and so can others, because we fought for the right to do so.

Excellent post, CES and outstanding personal initiative on your part standing up for the vaping community and making a difference.

There is one poster in this thread that could learn from your example, but I doubt that will happen. (actually there are several who could learn from your example)

 

[peakcomm]

Some of the best teachers in history used parables. Let me try one.

There was a man who liked whiskey. He liked the taste and how it made him feel. It helped him relax and be sociable. However, he drank so often that his health suffered. He knew he was damaging his liver with every swallow. His family worried about him and often begged him to stop. He didn't want to put others at risk and he respected the law, so he didn't drive while intoxicated or drink around children. Still, strangers often berated him, convinced his drinking would hurt someone someday. He wanted to stop, but it was very, very hard.

One day, he discovered a fantastic tea that looked, tasted and helped him relax like whiskey, but contained no alcohol. To him, it was a miracle. He could drink this tea without damaging his liver or getting intoxicated, but he enjoyed it as much -- maybe even more -- than he had enjoyed whiskey. And it was even less expensive! He immediately became a tea drinker and gave up whiskey completely. His family, friends and physician all rejoiced.

Of course, he didn't want anyone to have a reason to make him give up his miracle tea. So he followed the rules he had always followed as a whiskey drinker. Drinking and driving is illegal, so he never drank tea in his car. He never carried an open container of tea in public -- after all, a policeman or good citizen might see him and think he was drinking whiskey. He drank tea only in places where whiskey was allowed, or at home alone. (Because how could he expect his children to understand that what he was drinking was only tea?)

Was this man courteous and respectful? Was he simply following obvious rules? Or was he a prisoner in a cage of his own making because, in his heart, he still thought of himself as a drinker?

 

[Caridwen]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ctory-pico-rivera-we-can-make-difference.html

 

[Snicks]

Some of the best teachers in history used parables. Let me try one.

There was a man who liked whiskey. He liked the taste and how it made him feel. It helped him relax and be sociable. However, he drank so often that his health suffered. He knew he was damaging his liver with every swallow. His family worried about him and often begged him to stop. He didn't want to put others at risk and he respected the law, so he didn't drive while intoxicated or drink around children. Still, strangers often berated him, convinced his drinking would hurt someone someday. He wanted to stop, but it was very, very hard.

One day, he discovered a fantastic tea that looked, tasted and helped him relax like whiskey, but contained no alcohol. To him, it was a miracle. He could drink this tea without damaging his liver or getting intoxicated, but he enjoyed it as much -- maybe even more -- than he had enjoyed whiskey. And it was even less expensive! He immediately became a tea drinker and gave up whiskey completely. His family, friends and physician all rejoiced.

Of course, he didn't want anyone to have a reason to make him give up his miracle tea. So he followed the rules he had always followed as a whiskey drinker. Drinking and driving is illegal, so he never drank tea in his car. He never carried an open container of tea in public -- after all, a policeman or good citizen might see him and think he was drinking whiskey. He drank tea only in places where whiskey was allowed, or at home alone. (Because how could he expect his children to understand that what he was drinking was only tea?)

Was this man courteous and respectful? Was he simply following obvious rules? Or was he a prisoner in a cage of his own making because, in his heart, he still thought of himself as a drinker?

i laughed out loud mostly because this was a terrible parable. LOL.
Comparing whisky to tea? Nice one....

 

[mediocre toker]

Some of the best teachers in history used parables. Let me try one.

There was a man who liked whiskey. He liked the taste and how it made him feel. It helped him relax and be sociable. However, he drank so often that his health suffered. He knew he was damaging his liver with every swallow. His family worried about him and often begged him to stop. He didn't want to put others at risk and he respected the law, so he didn't drive while intoxicated or drink around children. Still, strangers often berated him, convinced his drinking would hurt someone someday. He wanted to stop, but it was very, very hard.

One day, he discovered a fantastic tea that looked, tasted and helped him relax like whiskey, but contained no alcohol. To him, it was a miracle. He could drink this tea without damaging his liver or getting intoxicated, but he enjoyed it as much -- maybe even more -- than he had enjoyed whiskey. And it was even less expensive! He immediately became a tea drinker and gave up whiskey completely. His family, friends and physician all rejoiced.

Of course, he didn't want anyone to have a reason to make him give up his miracle tea. So he followed the rules he had always followed as a whiskey drinker. Drinking and driving is illegal, so he never drank tea in his car. He never carried an open container of tea in public -- after all, a policeman or good citizen might see him and think he was drinking whiskey. He drank tea only in places where whiskey was allowed, or at home alone. (Because how could he expect his children to understand that what he was drinking was only tea?)

Was this man courteous and respectful? Was he simply following obvious rules? Or was he a prisoner in a cage of his own making because, in his heart, he still thought of himself as a drinker?

Deep. Very deep. If you look into it you can see the logic of this.

 

[hytek]

Even though the comparison of tea to whiskey is a sucky one, the point is still strong. We are not smokers. We are human beings with a right to vape. As as a person with any right, we must be courteous and respectful. That is all, there is nothing more to it.
K.I.S.S Keep it simple stupid.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

So, i vape respectfully.
I vape in bars, because it's allowed-even though smoking is not. It's allowed in restaurants too, but i generally don't vape at the table.

But here's the thing, in my city I expect vaping to be treated differently because the city smoking ordinance specifies that the smoking restrictions do NOT include vaping . That's because i took the time to educate city council members. I sent them emails with references, i wrote letters to the newspaper, and i went to the public hearings and made my case.

I didn't do it by myself. Bar owners also supported exempting vaping, and others wrote to the city council and CASAA supported me all the way, but i was the only regular citizen asking for the right to vape at the two council hearings. And they listened.

I still vape respectfully, but I can vape where smoking isn't allowed, and so can others, because we fought for the right to do so.

I got your back at Khazad-dum. You Shall Not Pass! Fabulous effort, thank you for that!

 

[CES]

Whiskey and tea aren't all that much different in color. It's not a bad metaphor at all. And i have heard worse that communicated the point less well.


(Love your signature billbeck!!)

 

[aljjrj]

I always ask when I go into a place if they mind that I vape. There are a lot of people out there who have never heard of it. I am patient I explain what it is and so far I have only been told no one time. I was even at a major hospital in Kansas City Missouri this past week with a family member. I asked if they minded and was told they did not care that I could they did ask me to explain it to anyone that did ask. I got asked a lot. I can say that while I was there one Dr. and one RN ordered there own. They didn't have any idea. I feel that we should be respectful and ask but at the same time it is up to us to educate people who don't know about it. Seeing the real thing not a commercial on tv and talking to a real person will go along way in giving people the right information. That we aren't smokers we are vapers. And that there is a big difference.

 

[e-pipeman]

Be polite. Ask permission first. If they at "No!" then go elsewhere. It really is that simple.

 

[thinhdle]

The reason smokers are treated like a second class because we let it happened to us. Governments, tobacco companies, big pharmaceuticals and anti-tobacco are ganging up on smokers to milk as much money from us as they can. Now with eCigs, they are a little confuse as how they will deal with vapors since there is no scientific facts to support their causes so they will use the bully tactics to make sure this source of incomes to continue.

I thought we live in civilized countries when you're innocent until proven guilty. In this case, they are trying to say we are guilty until proven innocent.

 

[MoonGazer]

I'm new here but this thread made me feel the urge to throw in my 2 cents. I know I am being repetitive on some if this but here it goes. Firstly, I started vaping for 2 reasons: To do it where smoking wasn't allowed (within reason-mainly bars..I love karaoke) and for the health of myself and pets. I still believe that you should be considerate. Don't vape in my parents house or a full restaurant...but I think it is unfair that I am trying to better my health so I should be forced outside with smokers to breath in second hand smoke anyway?! Silly and nonsense.

 

[marianna]

I'll keep it outdoors, 25 feet away from doors and operable windows, away from dining areas, away from schools, away from children and pregnant women, etc.

Perhaps you use 36mg nicotine and/or an awfull smelling liquid?

I vape 0mg nicotine wherever I want to, and if that's not allowed by some narrow minded *****, I leave.

 

[NovaVida]

"When we allow the government to ban things on the justification that some people just don't like it, we have embarked down the slippery slope of losing our freedom to do lots of things that there will always be some people who say they don't like it and don't want others doing it."

Very well said!!

 

[EpicPanda]

Just the subject line alone for this thread was infuriating. We should be treated different than smokers because we're not doing the same thing as smokers. Period. Smoking wasn't banned indoors and at restaurants and on planes because it was viewed as impolite or simply because annoyed people or looked funny to them. Smoking got banned because it kills people...harms the health of others. Vaping does not kill people or create a public health risk. Because of that I should not be treated the same as somebody who is creating a public health risk.

You should feel free to go vape in a cloud of second hand smoke 25 feet away from the door. If you need me, I'll be inside....vaping.

 

[coat]

I had to listen to a bunch of drunks screaming on the train home today. I consider this rude and offensive when I'm exhausted after a long day of work. But though I may be annoyed, they were doing nothing wrong. So why should I be bothered if someone gets angry when I vape inside? I'm doing nothing wrong. Whether it pisses people off or not, I still have rights.

 

[bazmonkey]

DISCLAIMER: I did not read most of this thread.

I personally find people who flaunt their vaping annoying. Just because something is technically allowed somewhere does NOT mean we should all go do it. There is still a sense of decency to be upheld.

I think of it like this: I can legally yell in a movie theatre. I can sit cross-legged on a bus with shoes on. I can sneeze into my hand before I touch a door handle. I can flip off everything that moves and has eyes. I don't do these things because it's decent.

If vaping right next to a door is bothering someone, then just stop! It's not the point whether or not it's harmful. The point is that people just don't like it sometimes. Before anti-smoking laws, believe it or not, some people just refrained from smoking in places people asked them not to. They're called "nice people".

Maybe it's a youth thing, but the auto-rebellious, just-because-they-say-I-can't-I-will attitude is... pathetic. No one gets props for smoking in an annoying place. It doesn't improve manliness, a sense of independance, or make girls think you're a bad-... rebel. The rest of society misses the "bad" and the "rebel", and just sees "...".

 

[bazmonkey]

I had to listen to a bunch of drunks screaming on the train home today. I consider this rude and offensive when I'm exhausted after a long day of work. But though I may be annoyed, they were doing nothing wrong. So why should I be bothered if someone gets angry when I vape inside? I'm doing nothing wrong. Whether it pisses people off or not, I still have rights.

Golden Rule, man!

Wouldn't you have liked it if the drunks had stopped screaming? Don't you wish the drunk loud people were "bothered" enough to shut up?

The people angry at you vaping next to them indoors feel the same way. You should be bothered because it bothered them and decent people care about how they are treating others.

 

[coat]

It's not about rebellion. I was afraid to vape in public when I first started because I didn't know how people would react. Then I started asking permission, nobody cared. Now I've realized that its easier to just do it. Because usually if anyone even says anything, it's because they are curious and want to learn about ecigs because they (or someone they love) is a smoker. So why should I worry that ONE person somewhere in the world might not like it?

 

[hottierockstar]

It's not about rebellion. I was afraid to vape in public when I first started because I didn't know how people would react. Then I started asking permission, nobody cared. Now I've realized that its easier to just do it. Because usually if anyone even says anything, it's because they are curious and want to learn about ecigs because they (or someone they love) is a smoker. So why should I worry that ONE person somewhere in the world might not like it?

seriously?...what if YOU were that ONE person? because that is who you are thinking about....ONE person. LOL

i was vaping in my car today and got a finger wag from a person in another car....i didn't have an opportunity to explain to them that i wasn't doing anything bad (not that the preceding sentence is relevant LOL)