you didn't really quit smoking because you're vaping...

[kristin]

"You haven't really quit, because you're still inhaling nicotine and acting like you're smoking."
You mean that I haven't really quit nicotine then, not that I haven't quit smoking. Because I've obviously quit smoking since I no longer inhale smoke. So what's more important? To quit smoking or to quit nicotine?

"But nicotine causes (cancer, heart disease.)"
No, it doesn't. That is a myth. Nicotine keeps people smoking, which causes smoking-related diseases. They are called "smoking-related diseases" not "nicotine-related diseases." Doctors want people to quit nicotine so they will quit smoking. If nicotine didn't keep people smoking, doctors wouldn't have any more of a problem with it than they do caffeine.

"But you're still addicted."
Maybe. Either way, at least now I won't get smoking-related diseases because of it.

"But don't you want to be free from addiction?"
It doesn't bother me so long as it won't kill me. Millions of people are just as addicted to caffeine, but no one has a problem with it because it's pretty harmless. I enjoy vaping like other people enjoy coffee, so what's the difference as long as there are little to no health risks? If they don't have to quit caffeine, why should I have to quit nicotine?

"Nicotine is more addictive than caffeine. It's more addictive than her-oin!"
Another myth started by anti-tobacco people with absolutely no scientific basis. There is not one scientific study showing that to be true - just try to find one. In one breath they say it's so horribly addictive and in the next they justify smoking bans by saying smokers should be able to go hours without a cigarette out of courtesy for non-smokers. So which is it?

"If you're going to smoke, why not just smoke the real thing?"
Because I don't want increase my risk of cancer or heart disease, thank you.

"It looks stupid."
So do safety goggles, bicycle helmets and hazmat suits, but does that mean we shouldn't use them? And now I get to look stupid inside a warm building instead of standing outside in the cold and rain.

 

[Rocketpunk]

Excellent post, Kristin!

 

[Thucydides]

The trick is not to get on the defensive. Just get all serious like. Then adopt a disappointed tone, and say, "It's people like you that killed Socrates."

 

[Dreaswi]

Trying to explain to the non smoking people on a soap box is like trying to get a tea party Republican to agree with a Democrat.

It only takes one person to start a revolution.

 

[Leatherneck]

The accusation "well, you didn't really quit smoking because you're vaping" will be swiftly met with an extremely insincere "Ok. Thanks for sharing".

 

[EddardinWinter]

Thucydides, I will use that, and tell my audience that Thucydides told me to say just that. If they don't know who Thucydides is, why talk to them any longer....

 

[Sickkboy]

I would say, oh and why don't you quit caffeine? it's increase your heart rate and could possibly make your blood vessel pop too.

 

[DJ RyckRak]

I found the original link to the Harvard study I mentioned, and it has been moved or taken down. Here is CASAA.

Now- Isn't that intresting !!!

 

[D4rk50ul]

Tell them you vape to make sure you aren't associated with blind idiots like themselves. Nicotine enhances your brain function and therefore makes you smarter than them.

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[tiforever]

I stopped trying to defend vaping to those type of people. I just ask them if they are drinking coffee with their cauliflower

 

[xanderxman]

I just nod and move on. I used to try to educate them but I learned after a few failed attempts that it was pointless. My father being the biggest example. After banging my head against the wall for months I finally just stopped.

I vape. Leave me alone. I don't get in your personal business and would appreciate the same courtesy.

 

[Leatherneck]

I vape. Leave me alone. I don't get in your personal business and would appreciate the same courtesy.

Why is it that our society has forgotten that simple courtesy? I see it even here on these very forums. It's sad that people have to denigrate people for their choices.

 

[MaDeuce]

The accusation met with an extremely insincere "Ok. Thanks for sharing".......

....... now get in the front leaning rest position and start pushing till I get tired!!"

 

[starr1349]

I don't really care what anyone else thinks I never have. The whole vaping thing? I think the biggest gripes you will get it from the non or "dry" smokers as I have started to call them at this point. Everyone has heard of a dry drunk , I swear there are "dry smokers" out there who are just as mean and nasty.
I ignore them.

 

[EddardinWinter]

Well saying something is good. I like doing something instead. When I started vaping, there were six smokers in my office. One of them was your typical "ha that is stupid-you should just smoke-you have not quit-blah, blah, blah" types. I just smiled at him and said in front of the others things like, "but it is so cool, there are thousands of awesome flavors, I can do it in bed, while cooking, etc."

Today, there are three vapers, and three smokers. I have one more potential convert teetering on the edge and ready to drop the analogs. I do love watching 'Mr. Blah-Blah' stumble outside alone on a cold February day to puff away. I just wave at him when I see him. There is no need to say a word. But if I did, perhaps it would be (forgive me Jules):

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. [begins pacing about the room] And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

 

[Leatherneck]

till I get tired!!"

And that was always such a long, long time.

 

[DaveP]

If there are militant non-smoking advocates that are busting your chops over vaping, challenge them inquisitively, "Tell me what's in my ecig, I'm curious". Chances are they will say "Antifreeze and nicotine!".

Then you can explain that it contains nicotine, about 10% water (in the PG or VG), and flavorings that are used in food. Explain that PG and VG are contain in a long list of the foods they eat and drink and the medicines they take. It's in their toothpaste, makeup, salad dressing, and many other household items made to be ingested or rubbed on the skin. It's in medical products the doctors use to carry medicine into your body.

The only "bad" thing in an ecig is nicotine and you only get about 10% to 30% of the nicotine that is absorbed from smoking tobacco. Nicotine patches are prescribed in daily use for memory enhancement in the elderly. Nicotine is about as bad for you as caffeine and you don't see the FDA trying to bust the chops of the coffee companies. If it weren't for caffeine, business would grind to a halt about 2 in the afternoon. The same people who are ragging you about your ecig are doing it with a cup of coffee in their hand and have plans to down an energy drink after lunch.

 

[akatina]

I don't really care what anyone else thinks I never have. The whole vaping thing? I think the biggest gripes you will get it from the non or "dry" smokers as I have started to call them at this point. Everyone has heard of a dry drunk , I swear there are "dry smokers" out there who are just as mean and nasty.
I ignore them.

One of my first posts on ECF was how to answer the question from dry smokers "Why don't you just quit cold turkey like I did?". I stand by the logic of these responses...

I think my answer will be "Because I don't like doing things that are statistically likely to fail." Or possibly "The same reason I don't use a river and a rock to wash my clothes". Depending on the snark of the person I'm talking to

 

[RosaJ]

I've taken it in the gut, so to speak, for years from self-righteous non and ex smokers and I'm not going to do it anymore. If I detect an ounce of prejudice coming my way, I say so. Some people have genuine concerns for their OWN health and I respect that and will treat them respectfully by explaining they're in no danger.... but... and its a big one.... when I see they're like a fish flopping around on the beach and terrified they're going to loose their pet hate peeve I will find an opportune put down that points out their prejudice and judgement. Its high time the shame was thrown back in their face where it actually belongs. The bashing they've done of smokers is not acceptable which is really what they're still trying to do. They need that in their lives to feel superior. I will let them know just what inferior humans they are and then move one because closed minds with a hidden agenda cannot be reasoned with but they sure can be shown that what worked on me before is over. I'm one of those 60's kids and have done it before with racial epithets. I spoke up loudly whenever one was used around me. Smoking was turned into a "moral issue" rather than a health one by these types and I won't continue to be their target while vaping. People don't change. Some will fight hard to keep some group or other "beneath" them. Discern the difference between that and reason and handle things accordingly.

Patkin, you've taken the words right out of my mouth! I'm totally in agreement with you. It's a matter of setting up boundaries and unfortunately some of us, when we smoked, allowed others to cross those boundaries and let the "guilt" of smoking in.

Also, even now that we're no longer smoking, some vapers are still trying to turn vaping into a "moral" issue as evidenced by some of the threads in this forum. I used to read them and allowed my emotions to erupt, now I just bypass them and only read threads that are going to enhance my vaping experience.

Vape on and enjoy the journey!

 

[Commie]

The easiest way to deal with it is by using equally ridiculous analogies. Such as "is that a coffee in your hand? So you haven't really quit drinking?"