Why is there a "........." stigma associated with people who use e-cigarettes?

[Sirius]

Really, I think that perception is an invention of the news cycle and media. Whenever one of the local news stations or papers does a story on vaping it features a photo or clip of someone with multiple piercings and a definite antisocial vibe about them. I'm used to it though. I'm from Missouri and whenever one of the national news organizations wants to interview someone affected by the latest natural disaster they usually head for a trailer park (Even though the tornado wiped out five nice homes near the trailer park.) and find some toothless hillbilly to feature at 05:00.

Then there's also carry over from the anti smoking crowd who are not satisfied with the fact that we aren't smoking any more. "Why can't you just quit?" And the current smokers who wish they could quit. And those that tried it and maybe vaping didn't work for them for one reason or another. There a a few of them at work. They seldom say anything, but I do perceive some malice in their looks. (Or maybe I'm just paranoid!)

I agree with all of that statement. The Kidstapo does us no good at all either. "The children will be poisoned if they get ahold of it." "The flavors look like candy." pfft So does Gummy Vitamins and Orange Mr. Clean so is it our fault ppl don't watch their kiddos well.

 

[-Redd-]

I don't think vaping is the underlying issue here. Rude, self absorbed, entitled people are everywhere. It's just a matter of respect for others that is lacking. Even if it was still allowed, I never would have lit a smoke in a room full of non smokers so I don't blow clouds in a room full of non vapers. I fly almost every week and it never fails to make me laugh how many people deserve special treatment because of some reason the rest of us don't get. Same with driving etc.

Sadly there seems to be less and less respect and tolerance shown towards other people in general these days.

 

[tgreider]

You know maybe I'm just a grouchy old man, but I'd love for one of those people who see me and think I a douche-bag and then have the guts to come up to me a say so. Hell from the look of things I'm beginning to think I'm the only person on the face of this planet who intends on being able to vape anywhere I wish to vape. It reminds me of the analog cigarette smoker's lack of asserting their rights when they were confronted about their smoking. They would apologize, put it out and then sneak away. It's attitudes like that that began this anti-smoking campaign that we vapors are suffering from right now! I say be proud that you are smart enough to seek an BETTER alternative, do not apologize to these people, just be sorry for their lack of information and try to educate them. Of course if that fails, then take a toot on your PV and blow the vapor into their face and walk away.

 

[chunkystan]

Sadly there seems to be less and less respect and tolerance shown towards other people in general these days.

unfortunatly,I think its been like that for years,some people need to put others down in order to justify their (un)perfect lives.Don't try & work out their reasoning,it's not worth the effort.If vaping works for you & stops you from smoking then feel proud & carry on.You could always dress up in a garden gnome outfit to divert the criticism from your pv.
Chunkystan hereby wishes to apoligise to all members of the above mentioned garden gnome community.It was just a comparison to highlight the intolerance in society & in no way, shape or form implies or encourages the idea that gnomes are funny or wierd.

 

[Scootaloo]

Well maybe some people are a bit behind the times and think vaping is weird because it’s a rather new concept, but I’m seeing more people around who are vaping so it’s becoming more common and less “weird”.

But apart from that I wouldn’t say people in general who see vapours think of them as douche bags: and if some people do then so what?

No matter what community you join, you will always get people who are opposed to it and that’s just life

 

[Sirius]

Well maybe some people are a bit behind the times and think vaping is weird because it’s a rather new concept, but I’m seeing more people around who are vaping so it’s becoming more common and less “weird”.

But apart from that I wouldn’t say people in general who see vapours think of them as douche bags: and if some people do then so what?

No matter what community you join, you will always get people who are opposed to it and that’s just life

Alvins3ville -- It's not that new. Older people started vaping way back when the first mods were flashlights converted into vape gear. Smoking started dieing out in the 60's and there has been a decline in younger people picking up the habit for many years. Yeah, many still smoke but not near as many as when I was a young man.
The very first commercial ones all looked like cigs and the first one I saw I thought was a cig. I smoked then and was in a park where smoking was not permitted and I was like WTH? That chicks smoking! Then I noticed it wasn't a cig at all. Cigs don't have green fire. lol
I didn't think anything more than oh, that must be one of those electronic cigarettes I have seen at gas stations.
Gawd that seems like a long time ago and it wasn't but maybe 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[stan77]

However, it's come to my attention (through the internet and television) that using e-cigs is the sign of a "........."

Some ecigs users vape in areas that are smoke free (restaurants etc..) Many ecigs do look like a real cig, and a smoke effect also looks real and we all know the nicotine is very real. So when people see the “smoke” of an ecig approaching them in a smoke free place they feel like they are being forced to inhale second hand smoke/nicotine. Being a parent, I personally don’t appreciate people vaping near my kid. So, imho this is where the "........." image resonates from.

 

[Taowulf]

People can think of me as a ......... all they want. If I am not engaging in d-bag behavior, then the onus of their assumption is upon them.

If they care to talk to me they will either decide that I am a pretty nice guy that is very eager to tell them about the benefits of vaping vs smoking. If they come with a closed mind, they will probably decide I am a jackass.

Both may be true anyway.

 

[Sed Contra]

It's not a dbag thing. Even people who have never even seen a vape setup before should drop to their knees and worship me because of the awesome coil build I have in my kayfun. It's just a fact of life.

Exactly! LOL

 

[DC2]

I appear to be the only vaper who thinks vaping looks pretty stupid.
But I can assure you that there is an abundance of non-vapers who would quickly agree with me.

Luckily, I don't care if it looks stupid.

 

[distortoblotto]

Douchebags are the ones who criticize others for their choices.

 

[bcalvanese]

You know maybe I'm just a grouchy old man, but I'd love for one of those people who see me and think I a douche-bag and then have the guts to come up to me a say so. Hell from the look of things I'm beginning to think I'm the only person on the face of this planet who intends on being able to vape anywhere I wish to vape. It reminds me of the analog cigarette smoker's lack of asserting their rights when they were confronted about their smoking. They would apologize, put it out and then sneak away. It's attitudes like that that began this anti-smoking campaign that we vapors are suffering from right now! I say be proud that you are smart enough to seek an BETTER alternative, do not apologize to these people, just be sorry for their lack of information and try to educate them. Of course if that fails, then take a toot on your PV and blow the vapor into their face and walk away.

You are exactly the kind of people I am talking about.

 

[Yankez]

Oddly enough the first and only time I heard / read about Vapers being d-bags is this topic.

Maybe I don't get out enough ( I leave my house everyday ) or maybe my head is just buried in the sand ( I live in the heart of my city and there's no sand for miles).

Regardless, I couldn't care less what "stigma" vapers might be labelled with. There's always someone who's going to judge your for your actions and if you spend all your time worrying about it you're going to live a sad life

I choose to ignore the negative, take a hit on my PV... and live my life as I choose regardless of what others think

 

[Tom Servo]

To be honest, we're engaging in a behavior that's novel and not yet socially acceptable. Worse yet, it looks similar to a behavior that's very unacceptable.

If we want acceptance, we have to be the better folks. That means being patient with the ignorant.

Or, we can blow clouds in their faces and tell them it's their problem.

Guess which one will work out better for us in the long run?

 

[Purplepeeps]

I really don't care if others like or dislike my choices. However, I don't go blowing huge clouds in their faces and am generally respectful.

 

[WattWick]

I appear to be the only vaper who thinks vaping looks pretty stupid.
But I can assure you that there is an abundance of non-vapers who would quickly agree with me.

Luckily, I don't care if it looks stupid.

Heh you're not alone!
That's why I really really prefer the smaller setups for outdoors use.

 

[Noble Gas]

I'm perplexed by bad attitudes towards vaping. I started vaping for two reasons: my health was suffering from smoking and my neighbors were constantly complaining about the smell. A family moved in to my building with a baby, and I noticed that when I was home and smoking, they were sitting outside in their car with the baby. They never said anything but I knew they were out there because they didn't want their baby breathing my smoke. I dislike kids and I don't believe the lies about second hand smoke for a minute, but I was heartbroken nonetheless. That was the event, even more than my failing health, which brought me to vaping. Today I was outside navigating a crowd of people on the street, and got more than a couple strange looks while taking a toot on my mech. All of them from moms pushing baby carriages. They didn't seem angry or hateful, just kind of shocked like 'What the heck are you doing??' So they don't know what it is and are assuming it's smoke. Whatever. I know I'm doing it for them and their uninformed ilk even if they don't. The bottom line is, it's none of my business what other people think of me.

 

[stevegmu]

You know maybe I'm just a grouchy old man, but I'd love for one of those people who see me and think I a douche-bag and then have the guts to come up to me a say so. Hell from the look of things I'm beginning to think I'm the only person on the face of this planet who intends on being able to vape anywhere I wish to vape. It reminds me of the analog cigarette smoker's lack of asserting their rights when they were confronted about their smoking. They would apologize, put it out and then sneak away. It's attitudes like that that began this anti-smoking campaign that we vapors are suffering from right now! I say be proud that you are smart enough to seek an BETTER alternative, do not apologize to these people, just be sorry for their lack of information and try to educate them. Of course if that fails, then take a toot on your PV and blow the vapor into their face and walk away.

Prime example...

 

[Lethalp]

I am wondering what happened to the op to make them think that? Personally, no one has ever said anything to me about my vaping. The only ppl who have anything to say are family members who occasionally comment on vaping safety. I have seen a few ppl vaping that I felt could havebeen less obnoxiouoswhile doing it, but that was yrs ago


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[Myrany]

Ya know what?

I have fought (sometimes successfully and sometimes not) a weight problem all my life.
I have had glasses thick enough to be called 8 eyes since I was 6 years old.
I have been fighting a loosing battle to save my teeth all my life (its a genetic problem).
I am now an older lady.
I smoked.

What is one more stigma for others to prejudge me on? Who gives a darn. I am vaping for my own health reasons.