To answer your question about cloud competitions.
I think it's a stigma that does not serve the vaping community well because it creates a negative distraction that overshadows the greater cause and purpose of vaping. I think it does a terrible injustice to every heart wrenching story we hear in how vaping literally changed someone's life for the better that was already struggling with soo many health problems as a result of smoking cigs...for many, having vaping as a option saved their life. Those who are using vaping as a competitive sport/hobby have the least to lose if the hammer comes down on vaping because clearly, they don't have respiratory problems. They can just go back to smoking or move on to something else, but it's the vapers who do have respiratory problems that stand to lose the most, including their life if they return to cigs.
We see soo many hardworking dedicated people from individuals to organizations rising up in this fight and it's these very stories that are the heart and soul of their foundation in which they fight to protect vaping. Have you ever once heard cloud competitions being used in any presentation as a bases to defend vaping? No you don't because it serves no importance to the cause and actually harms it because no matter which way you look at it, there just isn't a way to spin it in a positive light.
Now with that said, i still don't think it should be banned. I think adults have every right to engage in using vaping as a game, sport, or hobby if they wish, even though i think it does reflect badly on vaping at a time when vaping doesn't need this kind attention or another nail in it's coffin.
Speaking of nails, the FDA already has their hammer out when comes to kid-like marketing and packaging, it's just a matter of will they stop there, or go for flavoring and possibly nic. I think if the industry shows some restraint by self regulating, flavoring might survive, which is why i fully support the majority of vaping businesses that share this view and partake in no kid-like marketing tactics or packaging. I am just grateful it's only the minority of vaping businesses that seem to not be able to differentiate between kid marketing and adult marketing and hopefully the regulators will take that into consideration and just go after the kiddie marketing and packaging and not flavoring or possibly nic.
Responding to this post as well and will just note that I liked this post and was the first (perhaps only) person to like it.
That doesn't mean I agree with everything, but I like how you worded the first paragraph as your opinion on things and IS how I have taken most of what you are arguing for in this thread, as your opinion and thoughts on the issue(s).
I do agree that if one is using (or has used) vaping as way to cease smoking, that the barrage of stories about cloud competitions does do an injustice to their own story, which strikes me as the majority of vapers current reason for vaping. Yet, I also think this majority hasn't been very consistent with what it is they want in terms of "reasonable regulation." Circa 2010, it was then about "do not treat this product as a drug" for prescriptions only will prevent people making the switch as easily as they might. So, TPTB said to vaping industry, then stop making claims that make it seem like eCigs contain some sort of miracle drug to lead potential users (and current smokers) to never wanting to smoke again. The industry, for most part, agreed to this concession. And as I noted before, when the Judge Leon ruling came forth saying this was more like a recreational tobacco product, the vaping community treated that as MAJOR victory. If not a drug, and more like tobacco, then that was then seen a very good political reality going forward. But flash-forward to 2013 (and to the present) and now "we" are unhappy it is treated as a recreational (tobacco) product. Cause, ya know, it has helped so many people stop smoking and that story shouldn't be ignored.
In essence, I think we are still fighting that first battle, but also dealing with ANTZ doctrine that goes back 50 years with regards to anything having to do with 'cigarette.' I think manufacturers (sellers) have a good handle on things, and are treating it as recreational product. And I think there are enough vaping forums and word of mouth advertising for any smoker to realize that this can be a product that leads to cessation, as may be desired by (potential) users. Thus, it is all good for vaping community, except for the whole ANTZ doctrine that seeks to heavily restrict and considers banning a "reasonable regulation."
As a recreational product, cloud competitions make sense. And as something that is 'extreme' and both visible in culture and makes for good visuals for presenting something new, I think it holds appeal. To me, the positive spin is it shows anyone that these eCig things can produce a lot of what looks like smoke. Some might think, like I did before I got into vaping, that there's no way those things could produce as much "smoke" as what a 'real cigarette' does. Yet, cloud comps make it abundantly clear that they produce far more, and that it is not smoke. Looks like smoke, but is not smoke. Which is very interesting. I also think cloud comps are showing society that it is in fact a recreational product. And there are no recreational activities that I'm aware of that hold zero harm. A game of tag could be harmful unless everyone involved is there purely to have fun, and aware of some very basic ground rules. A competitive game in a swimming pool is the same, though likely more "extreme" than similar game being played on land as the risk is you could always go under water and who knows what happens to you then? But given some ground rules and people there who are caring / considerate, chances are you'll have lots of fun and not get in any danger. Though you could, and that can't be ignored. Name a recreational activity, any recreational activity, and do realize that if something goes wrong, you (or someone you know) could be seriously hurt. In fact, there are many popular recreational activities where people have been seriously hurt, and yet we humans still do them, knowing that at any moment another serious injury could occur. Risk / reward type stuff.
But I do think like DeAnna2112 noted, as many others have, that it is just begging FDA to take a harder look at what this whole vaping culture is up to. And is likely leading to more scrutiny and zealous regulations than the smoking cessation crowd deserves. But the genie is out of the bottle, and because the product is now more recreational than therapeutic (for good reason), it can't be one segment of vaping community that gets to dictate how the genie behaves. Even if that segment is the overwhelming majority. I would say cessation / reduction is still clearly king in the vaping community and that most outsiders are well aware of this. Zealots are going to continue telling a false narrative to keep their work alive, while vaping community will continue being happy that the product exists and (for now) is available on the open market for anyone to try, enjoy and do what they will with it.
) but more the norm. I have no clue how old you are but I am in my early 50's. I now find much more fun in quiet enjoyment but I used to love to be part of the scene so to speak. Guess what....young adults still do and their entertainment is somewhat different then my generations was. It is more extreme I would say, less confined, and way more social. These youngins live in a generation of social media, that sometimes makes meeting up with people you have never met, but share a common interest with easier so if this is what gets them off cigs and into a much healthier thing I say Wonderful. I also don't know the last time you have gone into an actual vape shop vs gas station/tobacco store. I have to tell you that many times you will see Dad Mom or even Gram or Gramps come in with their younger relative to learn about this new world. I went to a cloud comp recently and was amazed at the wide age range there. One of the gals with us brought her Mom so that she could experience the fun first hand. A week later I was in the shop and they happily told me that the Mom came in and got a nice beginners set up. She saw firsthand a large group of people that were actually having fun with the very thing that helped them to quit cigs. Go figure!! If that isn't great, I don't know what is.
STANDING OVATION!!! 
