Why do vapers expect to be treated differently than smokers?

[Aflatoxin]

People have told me they've been thrown out of citi field for vaping. I've never had an issue there, but I stealth vape there usually.

I vaped in a restaurant during lunch this afternoon. A few suspicious cops came up to me and starting asking questions. one tried to take my vamo but I told him I'd prefer he not touch until I explain how it works. Showed them all the settings, gave cards that explained how a PV works and showed them a labeled bottle of liquid with the ingredients. Two were smokers. They thanked me for the information and said they will buy kits soon.

It really upsets me when I hear people having issues with law enforcement. We are doing nothing wrong and they must be educated. People shouldn't be afraid to vape in places where it is legal, simply because they fear consequences. Be respectful, but remember your rights.

And this is a real issue. Two people today said their eGos were confiscated by cops who thought it was drug paraphernalia.

I liked the way you handled that, especially having the wherewithal to carry prepared material on your person. I've been wanting to do that. Did you make your own cards or buy them?

 

[mcol]

Never had an issue either. I either ask, or I quietly and discreetly semi-stealth vape. I don't bug anyone, don't flaunt it, don't blow vapors at anyone, etc. Maybe I just go to more accepting places =) Most don't even look at me twice, or pay any attention whatsoever to what I'm doing. I've vaped quietly and without fanfare in restaurants, etc.

 

[cleargreenfire]

I do vape inside at work and at home, but that is about it, I wouldn't dream of vaping in a restaurant, as can see it being off putting to other customers, and sure wouldn't do it at the movies and wouldn't want anyone else to either, who wants to watch a movie with vape drifting across the screen.

But smoking was banned from inside most places because of the health concerns, and as vaping does not have them same health risks, I do not believe vapers should be labeled the same as smokers.

I work at a movie theater and we do not allow vaping inside of our theaters for exactly that reason. A lot of people are surprised by it.

 

[Linden]

I stealth vape every time I go to see a movie. Nobody knows I am doing it. In fact...I somehow manage to vape pretty much anywhere I want to without causing a stir or being noticed. A quick puff, a stifling of vapor because I hold it in. It isn't hard. That isn't to say I think that is how others should do it! I also suffer from social anxiety so I kind of avoid confrontation *sweatdrop*. Still, if I were asked to stop vaping while in a private business I would respect that. Out on the street though, that is another story entirely. I have no sense of responsibility for the random person that has some kind of weird problem with vaping while I am in a public space. Not that I do it in public spaces in a noticeable way either, due to aforementioned anxiety lol.

 

[coat]

I liked the way you handled that, especially having the wherewithal to carry prepared material on your person. I've been wanting to do that. Did you make your own cards or buy them?

Local B&M card has a good explanation on the back. I carry 30+ at all times.

I think casaa has free printable materials, but you could also make your own. It'll save you a lot of trouble if you run into similar situations. Or if you are just talking to a curious smoker. Could really help someone.

 

[Cheri411]

I work in the health care industry and it has got to the point that you can't even smoke outside, I still don't vape in the hospitals but I do outside now and never get questioned about it...I semi stealth vape inside stores and such, I hate to shop sometimes and being able to vape gets me in and out quicker..lol

 

[heroinesick]

I openly vape at work. My boss has given my approval, and we have vapors in our company who vape inside all over the United States. I stealth vape in movies and grocery stores, simply to not cause a scene and generally won't vape in restaurants unless I know they're okay with it. I'm not doing anything wrong or hurting anyone else, so I don't see the problem. I LOATHE the smell of just about every perfume, cologne and deodorant out there (I use unscented.) but I'd be totally in the wrong to complain about them to that person. Same with my flavor. Don't like the smell of dragonfruit? Sucks to be you right then. I don't like the way your Chanel smells, either.

 

[Big Screen D]

Try a little psychological experiment next time someone seems a bit put off by your vaping. Just mention that your stop smoking sensation aid is nicotine free cookie flavored juice. The response I get is usually something along the line of "that does smell good". (NLV Gold lol)

 

[e-pipeman]

OK. Went out tonight in full fig (black tie, Lancashire County Cricket Ground). Vaped all night - towards the end of the evening got the "Can't do that here - others might think that you are smoking" thing. From my point of view it is important that people should learn to spot the difference. Whatever - a great evening was had by all, but the "other people might think that you're smoking" thing is both old and desperate in the modern age imho..

 

[Proverb31]

Howdy ECF,

I was thinking of posting this as part of my reply to another thread, but I didn't want to take things too far off topic, so I thought I'd start my first thread with it. I realize, even before getting started with this post, that my POV probably won't be too popular here, but I'd like to share it here anyway because I honestly don't have anywhere else to share it.

Though I understand the reasoning behind it, it's puzzling to me that vapers expect to be treated differently than smokers when it comes to their (our) right to vape. Yes, I understand that it's just vapor (that is, after all, why I traded smoking for vaping), and that it is, as far as current studies have shown, harmless as second-hand. No harm, no foul, right? I agree. But even so, why should we expect to be allowed to vape in places that we weren't allowed to smoke? Let's face it, a lot of vapers (I'm inclined to say most/all, but I could very well be wrong about that) on this forum are/were smokers--it's not as though we're being treated any differently since picking up the "vaper" label. There certainly aren't additional restrictions being placed on us because we partake in a vape instead of a smoke.

The way I look at it: we get to enjoy something that is a very close approximation of smoking that isn't as harmful as actually smoking. That we can even have that is enough for me. 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. to be able to have that one thing. Vaping at it's core, to me, is about being able to stop smoking tobacco while keeping up the act of smoking at less risk to my health (that and it makes for a heck a tinkerer's hobby )--not about being able to have nicotine when- and wherever I want. As awesome as that would be, I don't ever expect that to become reality. It's kinda crazy to me that so many vapers do expect that reality. Especially when so little research has been done to determine what, if any, health risks there are to vaping and to secondhand vapor. Until the scientific community says there are no risks, I really don't think that it's realistic to expect that we'll be treated differently than smokers. There's just no way the non-vaping public will make a distinction between vaping and smoking until it is becomes scientifically accepted fact that secondhand vapor is harmless. And honestly, I'm ok with that. I know that many of you aren't, and I respect that we have differing opinions on the matter.

Anyhow, I see so much, "Our right to vape is in jeopardy," and so many opinions insisting that we should be able to vape anywhere and everywhere that I felt compelled to share a more moderate perspective: as much as it would suck if vaping wound up being no different than smoking socially and legally, it's not that big a deal. We still get to vape, and we're still better off than we were smoking analogs. I'm all for promoting our right to vape, but let's not forget why we got into vaping in the first place...as long as there isn't an outright ban we're still in pretty good shape. Thanks for reading.

Best wishes to you all,
Scott

Hi Scott,

My answer may not be what anyone wants to hear, but I guess I need to say it.

Maybe Scott it just depends on whether you remember being allowed to smoke everywhere. I do. When I gave birth to first child -- my doctor came in sat down on my bed and bummed a cigarette from me. We smoked together as he explained the importance of a good nights rest and plenty of fluids before he released me with my new baby.

Now you may think I am ancient and to you I may be, but I'm not 50 yet. I remember being a kid and hating smoke... I use to get in trouble because I would roll down the window and stick my head out when every any one lit a cigarette or pipe in front of me. I had to learn to accept smoking was part of being social. I hated it, but I conformed and then guess what I became addicted.

Then they changed the rules. I'm not obese, and I rarely drink alcohol, yet people who are addicted to these items -- or even those addicted to mood enhancing drugs like zantax are not asked to go outside. No that is reserved for one addiction alone -- smoking. I'm not smoking anymore... I'm vaping. I am tired of standing outside and I don't want to take up drinking or ask my doctor for a feel good pill. I don't want to replace my hand to mouth habit with Twinkies. I am not asking those who prefer those methods to help them cope with the struggles of life to stand outside and be separated as if they don't belong.

Well that is my two cents. I am not going to act like it is smoking and accept a ban before it is banned. I am tired of paying more than my fair share of taxes. Enough of my rant... I'm going fight for my right to vape and for your and every one else's right to wear perfume I think stinks and... don't even get me started on rude people who feel it is ok to just fart anywhere. LOL in my youth it was all but required to smoke, but you had to step outside to fart.

Good post though, I needed to get that off my chest.

 

[Ohio Points]

Because of the quote in my signature.

"Condemnation without investigation is the highest form of ignorance" A. Einstein

We shouldn't allow vaping to be classified as smoking and should fight the inference because it's not and people need to be educated about it or it won't matter to anyone especially when the lawyers and Big Business have a say, then it will be too late...

That being said, I rarely vape in public buildings but will vape everywhere else, I want people to know what I'm doing so they might ask about it and then I can tell them.

 

[Moogle]

I'm totally respectful of other people. I don't vape in the grocery store or other private businesses. Why would you do that? I know people who do and I think they are giving vapers a bad name. My boss told me a story about going out to vape after eating at a restaurant. There was a guy out there smoking and his smoke and my Boss' vapor was blowing into the open air section. The guy smoking left then this lady came out all ...... off at my Boss. She couldn't tell the difference and didn't care. He just walked away which was probably the right thing to do. I quit 4 months ago and now I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. It smells like Dragon farts. If I was in her shoes I'd be ...... too. I'm trying to taste the food I overpaid for. Guess you just have to pick your battles but I believe it starts with being respectful. I vape at home and I can vape at work on Sunday. The rest of the week it's not OK so I don't. I go out to the smoking area.

 

[Mark C.]

I have been vaping for about a year and three months or so, and I vape everywhere, home, hospital, Walmart, work (until I hit the unemployment line ) . I have never had a single person complain or say anything bad about it to me, had a few questions, and while I was vaping cotton candy when I first started vaping people used to comment on it smelling really good... in my experience it does not seem to bother anyone, but does spark their curiosity

On a side note I'm not disrespectful with it though, I stealth vape in public places not hiding it just making sure there's only a little vapor, not sit there and fill the room with vapor like at home.

 

[ImBluu]

I understand where your coming from but with time I feel people will learn and understand how safe vaping really is and it will be accepted into society like anything else.

 

[mrkrinkle55]

Some people not in the scene might not quite understand it yet. It's sort of a social stigma in my opinion. Clouds coming out of your mouth? Must be a smoker. Gonna lump you in with the rest of 'em. I can kind of understand why though. If you're out at a festival or something and you see a guy with a beer in his hand, you automatically put him in with the rest of the drinkers, even though that beer in non-alcoholic. Go up and ask the guy and he'll tell you "It's non-alcoholic." Until you do though, its just a subconscious thing.

 

[rainrox]

I dont vape where people cant smoke. Even though its harmless and stuff its still disrespectful IMO.

 

[Ariv1972]

Been a smoker for many years, just started vaping/ecigs
While I like traditional tobacco, the pro alternatives of vaping has converted me.

With that.... I avoid vaping in public as I did as a smoker, just from the conditioned behavior of society has placed on smoking

 

[nohandsss]

its expected to be treated the same. to other people, smoking is smoking no matter what it is. they just dont know

 

[e-pipeman]

its expected to be treated the same. to other people, smoking is smoking no matter what it is. they just dont know

The problem is that sometimes they do know - but, irrationally, they just don't like it. Sometimes it is a form of priggishness. This can be accompanied by lots of "waving hands in the air because of the beastly vapour" behaviour. Sometimes people see that you're enjoying yourself and, because of dark personality issues of their own, simply don't want you to.

 

[serendipitee]

its expected to be treated the same. to other people, smoking is smoking no matter what it is. they just dont know

Please don't take this wrong, it is not in any way directed at you. This ^^^ line of thinking drives me nuts!

BEGIN RANT...

It is not smoke and we are not smoking. Vaping is not smoking and should in no way be treated the same!

Ignorance is no excuse!

Others have made the points about perfume, aftershave, deodorant, BO, farts, alcohol, obesity, etc. so I won't go there, although I think they are perfectly logical places to go!

I regularly refrain from any number of things: being rude, telling it like it is, debating {with the exception of politics}, cutting people off in traffic, honking at people, not waiting my turn, arguing, etc. You name it, I really make every effort to be agreeable, diplomatic, cooperative, "nice", etc. solely to protect the sensibilities and feelings of others... even when it is not necessary.

I do not make a nuisance of myself while vaping, most people I'm sure can't even tell and I don't do it just anywhere and everywhere, even though I think I can and should. I have not had anyone harass me about vaping and don't really expect to but when I hear about people just being downright stupid about it, it sets me off. Some nitwits get their panties in a wad about the most ridiculous things. If I am accosted, depending on the kind of day I'm having, I have half a mind to tell them to go solve a real problem.

END RANT

I don't know why that set me off so badly, maybe because I have a sick dog and just the thought of someone jacking with me is too much right now.