would like to hear others opinions on stealth vaping.....mine may not be popular

[Big Mac]

Hey there folks,

Hey Jen, I think, for me, you have stated pretty much the way I do it also. Ask whenever possible, if no one to ask then I vape proud like I belong and like I've been told it's cool, but I do still vape away from folks in an attempt to fore go any confrontations if possible. Just like smoking, I try to not infringe on others when possible. I was a 1.5 PAD, and I believe it's the courteous thing to do....and being a grumpy old man, who seems prone to confrontations with ignorant people (that's more often than not, but not always ignorant), I do my best to avoid creating a situation that I KNOW won't turn out well. Our difference seems to be if all else fails...well..I still do not stealth.

Hey there NICNurse, you're right, it can be a very tough choice to make due to circumstances that are not in our favor. My sister was an ER Charge nurse in Casa Grande, and is a 2 PAD. I've heard and understand how tough it can be. A few things that I guess I don't quite understand...when and where did you smoke while at work? I know you didn't sneak smokes inside the hospital....right? I mean, if you could wait ( or be forced to wait due to circumstances ) to have a smoke, why not the same for a vape? You didn't mention, but have you prepared yourself and approached the powers that be to request the ability to vape in an out of the way spot that would not infringe on anyone, a place that would not give anyone a visual to complain about? Since vaping in and of itself is benign, its the visual that sets people off. They see smoke, they see the rise and fall of a device to the lips...once they see that and with all the hype about smoking, its the visual that sets them off. Show its relatively harmless, pick a spot that wont provide a visual to get uninformed people primed for a battle, getting some backing from coworkers, lower management people, and give 'em hell! I mean no disrespect and I'm not trying to be a PITA.

Good luck and thanks for listening,

Big Mac

 

[Absintheur]

As a general rule if I didn't smoke there when I smoked I don't vape there. Some exceptions do come up however.

Long wait at the doctor...I will hit the bathroom for a few hits.
Movie theater...stealth vapes but at the same time most of the time the ex and I are the only ones in the theater (love Wednesday matinees!) Vaped a good bit during "Sinister" yesterday...very cool movie btw.
Coffee Shop...asked the owner first and he is cool with it.
On school and medical campuses. Just keep it discreet.

 

[RoseB]

Sometimes I whip it out in places I shouldn't. Don't even think about until I have done it. Almost did it a few times with cigarettes but by the time the lighter came out I stopped. My sister in-law told the people she works with (in a nursing home) that het blu is an inhaler. Stealth vaping is good with me cause my dad caught another older man do it in the store, and it peaked his interest lol!

 

[fourthrok]

I've debated a little while about whether or not I wanted to post on this thread or not. Throwing caution to the winds and here goes:

I do stealth vape. But I do NOT vape anywhere in public where it's not accepted where anyone can actually observe me and object. If I vape in a fast food place (can't afford a "restaurant") I am off in a corner...facing the room so I can watch who is looking my way and avoid being seen vaping by them. I have vaped in the hospital..but only in the privacy of my room and when no one else can see me. My vape is a menthol...whatever smell my room mate on the other side of the curtain might detect will be more like a breath mint than anything else. I will sometimes vape in a store while on a long shopping trip...but never if anyone else in the the aisle. If someone comes in the aisle while I'm there, I hold the vape so the vapor is nearly non-existent (or turn my back and blow it down the front of my shirt), and wait to be alone again before I have another hit. I've vaped at the Mayo Clinic...mostly in bathrooms in a stall...but sometimes if I can position myself in the waiting room well away from other people and where I can have a plant shielding my face. Also where I can watch who is watching me. You get the idea. I have vaped in my doctor's office, with permission. The bottom line is I AM DISCRETE. I do not get all in people's faces and be confrontational. In the year I've been vaping, using this practice, I've only been asked 3 times what I was doing. Twice by people who were interested in looking into "e-cigarettes" and once by my heart surgeon, who heartily approved of my choice to quit smoking, and had no problem with my vaping...even implying endorsement of it.

My husband vaped at the hospital and was approached by a security person. He was wearing a T-shirt that said "It's Only VAPOR!" on it..and when the security person saw the shirt and saw what was in my husband's hand he smiled and said "Carry on!...wish more people would wear those shirts! I get reports that people are smoking and I have to check it out. Wearing a shirt like that saves me a lot of trouble!" And he walked away.

You can ask what did we do when we smoked cigarettes? Went outside a LOT. Got cranky and impatient a lot. Avoided going places where we knew we couldn't smoke...including restaurants, bars and movies. I can go without vaping for a good amount of time. But if I have the opportunity and it's not "in your face" or bothering anyone, and if I'm discrete and polite and don't act guilty....I don't see any reason to not vape if I want/need to. If someone were to say to me definitively: I see you are vaping. That is is NOT allowed here!" My PV would immediately get dropped in my purse or pocket coupled with my profuse and sincere apologies, and that would be the end of it. I also likely would NOT go back to that establishment. (But then...I don't work outside the home. It's a bit trickier if it's one's boss laying down the law!)

It also helps to use a device that looks nothing like a cigarette. Many might even think it's a type of inhaler. Works for me!

 

[Baditude]

I've debated a little while about whether or not I wanted to post on this thread or not. Throwing caution to the winds and here goes: ...........
It also helps to use a device that looks nothing like a cigarette. Many might even think it's a type of inhaler. Works for me!

Thanks so much for sharing. Loved the story about your husband, his shirt, and the security guard.

My devices could never be mistaken for a cigarette, either.

 

[StereoDreamer]

I look at it the same way I approach carrying a firearm.

In places that I KNOW are going to be hostile to the lawfull practice of such activities, I will go "stealth" or just abstain altogether.

But in places where it it legal, not posted or specifically prohibited, and I am within the law and my rights, I will PROUDLY vape (or carry) OPENLY where everyone can see.

It has been my experience that "Open Vaping (like open carry) generates way more POSITIVE response than negative, once you engage people, explain what you are doing and the laws, and offer to get them more info on the subject.

A right not exercised is a right lost.

Vape on--Vape Openly!!!

 

[Big Mac]

100%....vape on, vape openly!!

 

[NICnurse]

Hey there NICNurse, you're right, it can be a very tough choice to make due to circumstances that are not in our favor. My sister was an ER Charge nurse in Casa Grande, and is a 2 PAD. I've heard and understand how tough it can be. A few things that I guess I don't quite understand...when and where did you smoke while at work? I know you didn't sneak smokes inside the hospital....right? I mean, if you could wait ( or be forced to wait due to circumstances ) to have a smoke, why not the same for a vape? You didn't mention, but have you prepared yourself and approached the powers that be to request the ability to vape in an out of the way spot that would not infringe on anyone, a place that would not give anyone a visual to complain about? Since vaping in and of itself is benign, its the visual that sets people off. They see smoke, they see the rise and fall of a device to the lips...once they see that and with all the hype about smoking, its the visual that sets them off. Show its relatively harmless, pick a spot that wont provide a visual to get uninformed people primed for a battle, getting some backing from coworkers, lower management people, and give 'em hell! I mean no disrespect and I'm not trying to be a PITA.

Good luck and thanks for listening,

Big Mac

The answer to this is really simple. I quit smoking and started vaping before I became an RN.

Yes, it would be wonderful to approach the powers that be and encourage vaping in the workplace. The hospital I work in is a tobacco free hospital that not only banned vaping, they also banned tobacco use in any new hire 6 months after I was hired. So even people who vape or use Nicorette gum or patch will test positive for cotinine and will not be hired. I am thankful that this policy did not take place before I was hired or I would not have gotten my job. I work for a hospital system that has 5 hospitals scattered throughout the city. All campuses follow this policy. People who already smoked prior to the "no tobacco new hire" policy were grandfathered in are exempt from tobacco screening.

I would love to try to be the little guy that could change the vaping. I am actually scared to attempt to change the vaping policy because coming out as a vaper could be an enormous black mark against my employment and do more harm than good.

Oh one more thought to add...... And another point to ponder in this great convo we are all having here. If people choose to use Nicorette gum or a patch when in public instead of vaping privately in a bathroom stall, do you all think we need to have permission and or full disclosure to those around us that we are using a nicotine alternative or is it ok to keep that private? Should we make sure that those around us are ok with us disposing our nicotine gum in a community trashcan since others "could" be exposed to it? or what if someone accidentally touched a used patch that i throw in the trash? I am only asking as a devils advocate point of view, because I see vaping as a type of nicotine alternative just as as wearing a patch or chewing the gum is. Interested to see what the thoughts are on this!

 

[DC2]

Interested to see what the thoughts are on this!

Well, for whatever it's worth, here are mine...

This is a conversation that comes up at least once every month I think.
But that is not to say that it is not a conversation worth having at least once every month.


The legal parameters are in constant flux, as are the views of society towards vaping.
And as they change so should this discussion change.

And of course, there are always new members flooding in, and they should have a chance at this topic.

The thing is, this is always a contentious issue, and will continue to be for quite some time...
--To vape or not to vape
--Where to vape and where not to vape
--How to vape and how not to vape

It's really all the same thing, and there is no easy answer that all can agree on.
That is why it is a contentious issue, and that is why there is a line.

It's sort of a line that moves backwards and forwards, but people see that line in different places.
And no matter what we all say or do, people will always see that line in different places.

--Vape loud and proud, and use the opportunities to educate.
--Vape like you smoked, and don't piss of the folks that we need on our side.
--Take advantage of the opportunity to vape unnoticed where you couldn't smoke, or just don't.

I say let's just continue hashing it out, like we always do, and see where it leads us.
But just remember that we are never going to all come to agreement on this topic at this point in time.



EDIT: That was a lot of words to say approximately nothing
EDIT: And yes, I am planning on running for office at some point

 

[Big Mac]

Lol, we'll said DC2. As I am one of the newer Vapers here, I am the one that would have probably missed out on all those other great discussions. You're right of course, that all of us will see this differently, based on our experiences and present circumstances.

Maybe the saying should be more along the lines of. *Vape on, Vape openly...whenever possible*.

NicNurse, well, I guess I understand a bit better from our conversation here. You do whatever you need to do to stay away from the demon smoke. If that means stealth vaping, please be careful. If you ever see the opportunity to change things, attempt to do so, and if the opportunity is there, but you can't do it, give a holler and tell me what I can do.....and that goes for anyone reading this. If there's something I can do to help change the circumstances where you work or play, something to assist in making vaping more accessible to everyone, give a holler.

Thanks ya'll, waiting to see where else this thread can take us.
Big Mac

 

[JENerationX]

Why do I vape where I couldn't smoke? The short answer is because I can.

I go stealth where it would cause a distraction or ruckus somewhere I couldn't see a logical problem with vaping. I'm not going to do it in the middle of a wedding, church service, funeral, etc.... but I see no reason that a movie theater without visible vapor and far enough away from people is an issue. I'm smelling nachos, popcorn, pretzels with cinnamon and cheese sauce, so adding a little creamy mint or butterscotch shouldn't bother anyone. Vape a cloud? Hell no. It would piss me off if someone's vapor was getting between me and the screen, but if I can do it without any visible vapor, why not?