Worst misconceptions about vaping

[Eranda13]

I've run across a lot of them in my short two months as a vaper.

1. They're just as harmful as tobacco cigs.
2. They are supposed to be a means to and end... i.e. quitting altogether
3. Propylene glycol is in anti-freeze, therefore it's harmful
4. Fruit flavors will make kids want to vape
5. Because you're using a nicotine replacement, you haven't really quit anything
6. If you're not stepping down your nic level, you're failing

What are the worst misconceptions you've heard?

 

[MikenGA]

"If it walks like a duck, it IS a duck."
(meaning, if it looks like smoke, it IS smoke.)

 

[sawtoothscream]

heard most of those, but they all come from a kid thaat smokes like a chimney and vap like crazy lol. He is always talking about how he doesnt like they are safe and worse then cigs while smoking the 10th cig out of his pack from jsut that bon fire alone

 

[Joao]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/tobacco-industry-e-cigarettes_n_3453821.html

It's not always misconception, it's just that "journalists" like to write, but aren't always feeling up to real research. They mix things up, regurgitate them, and put a little spin on it sometimes. The link above is the latest example of such casual misinformation about e-cigs by someone who had a content quota. It's not even supposed to be about e-cigs, but the last few facts involve them anyway, and shed a completely negative light on them.

As far as the OP:
The one about the flavors might be the most irritating for me. It's the dishonesty of that one that drives me nuts; people are implying that manufacturers are trying to prey on children. Since that isn't actually the case, it means that people who use that line are doing so because they will say anything to smear the product, regardless of whether or not there is a basis. EVERYONE likes flavors. Just about everything that has a taste eventually becomes available in other flavors. I'd love to see one of these people crusade against every liquor store in town, and their 18 flavors of Smirnoff vodka that they have in the window to attract street traffic.

 

[Eranda13]

I agree. Kids are not going to start vaping because of flavors... any more than they are going to start swigging vodka because you can get marshmallow and whipped cream flavor

Kids smoke because of the forbidden-ness of it. Vaping isn't "forbidden" so there's not really any draw.

What I think happens is that people hate smoking so much... that they hate anything that even looks like smoking. It's an emotional reaction, not a logical one. Meaning that they don't want anyone to even be able to APPEAR as though they are smoking because smoking is bad for you and smokers are weak-willed evil people.

I think it's about enjoying being judgmental, and not wanting to give that up.

 

[crxess]

I think it's about enjoying being judgmental, and not wanting to give that up.

Exactly and not just applied to e-cigs. Everything from the way you dress to the length of the grass in your yard. There are those that can only find pleasure in constantly hammering others for PERSONAL joy. Get enough of them together and you have a coalition ready to force you to bend to their will.

To all those purist in any form - Bite Me!

 

[Milkhoney]

I'd love to see one of these people crusade against every liquor store in town, and their 18 flavors of Smirnoff vodka that they have in the window to attract street traffic.

Yeah, this bothers me, the idea that flavor in nicotine products is a terrible idea, but flavor in alcohol is fine. I doubt it's my age group that's being targeted by all the bubble gum/whip cream/birthday cake flavors of vodka that are all the rage at the moment.

Most of the weird ideas I hear run to the extremes of misconceptions. People either asking me if it's more dangerous since it's got "all those chemicals" in it, or people asking me if it's actually healthy for you because it's "warm vapor" and therefore beneficial to the throat (no, fool, it won't improve your singing voice, pretty sure it won't make you drown either.) I seem to alternate between telling smokers how they should try it, and telling nonsmokers that they shouldn't bother.

 

[degnr8]

As far as the flavor thing goes, while I think they're wrong I can see where they're coming from. After the master settlement agreement with BT when they had to release their internal documents we found lots of stuff about making child friendly flavors with little nicotine or throat hit and then how to step them up to the higher nic levels. This is how we got bidis and snus. What I find annoying is all the people that think it's some kind of a drug device. Admittedly some of the rigs y'all use with the tanks do look pretty suspicious lol

 

[soba1]

You know as I sit here and look at the titles on some of these threads. All I can say is that people fear change.
What looks worse; a burning object hanging out of ones mouth. Or a shiny clean looking metalic
object. As far as I'm concerned there are more for people to get up in arms about than e-cigs
second hand smoke and the like.
Its all just a smoke screen; give the sheeple something else minute to get up in arms about. Whilst
we are over here pulling another set of strings to manipulate something.
There are just enough people still who will fall for anything and not stand for anything important.
So there goes my rant for the day maybe the month.
So let us keep vaping knowing that we are doing what is best for ourselves.
Let us keep vaping to show others there is a better way.
Let us keep vaping because in the place where I live.
We still have a right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So long as it doesn't infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others.

 

[AgentAnia]

I've run across a lot of them in my short two months as a vaper.

1. They're just as harmful as tobacco cigs.
2. They are supposed to be a means to and end... i.e. quitting altogether
3. Propylene glycol is in anti-freeze, therefore it's harmful
4. Fruit flavors will make kids want to vape
5. Because you're using a nicotine replacement, you haven't really quit anything
6. If you're not stepping down your nic level, you're failing

What are the worst misconceptions you've heard?

7. Vaping causes pneumonia.
8. Vaping is a gateway to smoking.
9. Second-hand vapor will kill you just like second-hand smoke.

Phooey

 

[BennyBlanco]

- the stuff you exhale is water vapor

 

[brock957]

If you don't stop that you'll go blind.
Wait. Never mind. That's not about vaping.

 

[upsetter21]

I have no idea where he got this one, but my father keeps telling me he heard it will make mold grow in your lungs.

It's one of those comments that makes me realize he's getting old, especially since he repeats himself.

I just wish I knew who put the idea there.

 

[Orobas]

I agree. Kids are not going to start vaping because of flavors... any more than they are going to start swigging vodka because you can get marshmallow and whipped cream flavor

so much this.

they also make fruit flavored prophylactics.

 

[StacyInOkla]

The one I hear the most is vaping will give you pneumonia.