Younger Vapers and Criticism From Some of the Vaping Community

[SmoklessGeneration]

Let me start by saying its not much of a problem xD I just feel like its something to talk about.

I'm 18 (I quit tobacco after a mere 2 years of use lol) and I truly appreciate the vaping community. With the forums and online help filled with genuine problem-solving and kind words of advice it can truly feel like a community. with so many of us here to share this common interest and passion for this "new" market.

Being younger I do feel that I'm a part of the first few generations who truly have an option when it comes to smoking habits. (hence my silly ecf username ) With this broadening market being introduced in such a familiar way to my generation, and with such a personal community backing everything its easy to educate myself with the options I have
(and to avoid the tobacco companies monopolizing this culture)

however I've received some conceited responses from some of the vaping community (purely due to my age).

The reason for their animosity.. from what I could make out
was that they view this market and these products, for what they are, as a life-saving 'out' for those who once struggled with their addiction

So for me to buy into this as the newest product on the market, the newest trend or fad, if you will, seemed to agitate these folks a bit when for them its so much more than that

So my point is that. For those that haven't already... You must recognize that this is a growing community (and not so much just a market after-all) and that these things aren't going to die out like a fad or trend
This really will be the future for smokers and those who enjoy this day to day habit
At least for me and all of you, we know that for a fact >xD

thought I'd say something

 

[NancyR]

While my personal preference would be to hopefully see you and your whole generation not smoke or vape, I know that is just a pipe dream. That being said I started smoking when I was 14, many of us older smokers/vapers can say the same.

So just don't ask me to listen to your music and we will be ok BTW Welcome to ECF

 

[rondasherrill]

I'd say 90% of smokers started because it was "the thing to do", either because of friends, family, or because the media made it look cool. Therefore, none really have a place to talk. If you enjoy vaping, then any and all naysayers can deal with it. Happy Vaping, and welcome to ECF.

 

[cignomo]

I guess you'd be taken more seriously if you continued smoking for another decade and then jumped on board

Don't bother with the haters. You found a way out of a deadly addiction and are doing what all of us have. You just got there sooner and have circumvented many years of bad health. Now that using a PV is more mainstream I suppose it's inevitable that we'll see more younger vapers on the scene. Better than the alternative. Keep it up!

 

[SmoklessGeneration]

This is all very true..
I had a surreal moment being a modern little punk sitting outside a wal-greens leaning on an electric car recharging station thing, puffing on some pv's with my friends xD (and listening to that music lol)

anyways thanks for the supportive replies
ill take a puff to that! Cheers

 

[edensin]

I appreciate your post Smokless.

The thing that struck me most was this. You are 18 years old. It is against the law for a person under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products in the USA. It is "regulated" in other words.

So here I am thinking, wow, the gov't does such a fine job of regulating tobacco products that we have converts showing up here after illegally smoking under age for 2 years. And they think they should be regulating e-liquid? It is almost comical don't you think?

Anyway, welcome to the boards. Although I had been smoking many years when I got here, I was no lessed hooked after 2 years. I wouldn't have kept on going had that not been the case.

You are on the right track. I do hope you will be able to do without any of it at some point. But I also think this "habit" seems thus far to be a better alternative to smoking.

 

[cignomo]

This is all very true..
I had a surreal moment being a modern little punk sitting outside a wal-greens leaning on an electric car recharging station thing, puffing on some pv's with my friends xD (and listening to that music lol)

Underage smoking is one thing, but I smell hipster!

j/k! Fight the power!

 

[SmoklessGeneration]

I completely agree edensin. Tobacco is targeted towards young kids through media (More so in the 90's IMO) And many smokers start their habit before they're 18.

And yes it is very comical, no doubt. I live in Colorado where (I'm not sure if its state-wide) but anyone that is 16 or older can use/ consume tobacco products if an adult provides it for them.
Also in colorado so many... other things xD are legal for purchase it makes me laugh inside when im carded for buying e-liquid at a local shop that sells considerably more so outrageous articles and substances

And as far as that hipster thing goes.. I certainly have my moments xP

 

[Doshima]

I'm a little older then you, but I was never a heavy smoker. I always loved a good cigar with friends or hookah, and now I love to vape. I totally agree with your point of view for the most part. Plus the knowledge I have gained from my experience has allowed me to help at least ten people so far quit much more severe smoking addictions.

 

[lonnieperrin]

As with the birth of the personal computer, us older folks had to live thru the groth stages, same goes for e-cigs, the newer folks are now coming into it as the technology is reaching acceptable levels.

Welome ALL new folks to vaping...
The more there are of us, the higher the demand and the faster the technology will improve.

Keep on vaping (even if you nicmg is 0)

 

[LycanFury]

Hi I am older than you smokeless, and have joined new to this community. Nice knowing that the vaping community is growing. I agree with lonnieperrin, tech changes are unavoidable and we are In the 21st century aka the smokeless times.
I am from India and as the "third world" country I know it's bad for younger generation here there are regulations for tobacco selling and circulations but teens as young as 12 can get their hands on cigarettes and vaping is not at all known in many parts. Hope things get better for this generation of tout la monde.

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

@smokeless
Glad you're here. Always nice to have some new perspective.
Vape on.

 

[anavidfan]

Hello smokeless gen, and welcome to EFC. I was just wondering what terminology you "youngins" were using for your new habit. I call it a habit cause it is. I still dont feel comfortable with what to call the devices. Everytime I run around the house searching for my.... PV, ecig, others will ask me what Im looking for? (cause I probably look like a junkie looking for their fix) Non-users dont know what Im taking about when I say PV, so I say my ecig or vapor thingy.

I know that what comes out is not "smoke" but it looks like it. I know it is more of what comes out of an old fashioned vaporizer that was used for kids with a bad cold. I think it is more like steam. So steam machine comes to mind. Personal Vaporizer sounds like some sort of futuristic term for something that makes a person sort of disappear into a puff of vapor or something medical for someone with emphysema.

What is the future? You younglings are. I just hope you all dont come up with something completely silly like "tooting" (sounds smelly or illigal) or "being a puffer" (sounds to much like a huffer"

I have 2 sons in thier early 20s and love them and their friends and their music. Funny most of their music is my music also. I introduced them to NIN, Bowie, Numan, the damned and so much of the new bands sound like the 80s technopop or electronica. I feel more in common with them and their buddies than most of the "old farts" like me. I was a punk/goth/new waver in my hey day. Loved the 60's and 70's music also.
Whatever, what Im trying to say is young people like you are the future , and of course the future of electronic smoking/vaping devices. I just want to stay up to date. I love it, and I introduced this to my younger son. But he kids around and says that he is "old school" and he likes real cigarettes. I cant condem him, though I tell him hes better off because , well we all know.....
When we were young we started for what ever our reasons were. We knew it was nothing but bad, but we smoked regardless. I would feel like a total hypocrite if I just started telling him how evil etc smoking is. He likes the taste, heck I like the taste still to this day. I chose not to smoke, but I still take a deep breath and slowly smile when I walk past a smoker. It doesnt make me want to gag or run out and buy a pack of cigarettes. I just fondly remember, and I realize that what I do now is better for me, and taste more like the "good tasting" cigarettes, pipes etc. I used to use when they werent so rare to find.

 

[Screwbag]

I started smoking lucky strike non filters around 4th grade. It wasn't media, and nobody in my family smoked...I'm just an explorative kind of guy...

Anyhow, if it were totally up to me I'd see ecigs handed out in high schools just as condoms are...with the thinking of "if you're gonna do it, do it safely" of course that's never gonna happen in my lifetime. But it makes sense, since both sex and smoking are illegal til 18 in many states.

 

[Trilly]

Smokeless, first of all welcome to this wonderful community.
Personally I am proud of you for having the courage to go against the grain of your peers (I have been there and know what it's like) and embrace a new way.
As for younger vapers, I know teens are going to experiment with anything they feel like, underage sex and smoking being the most popular but in this new age I would rather a teen try nicotine through vaping than smoking anyday, while not ideal and in a dream world no-one would be addicted to nicotine, I know it is never going to happen, all we can do is educate your generation the best we can and give you the tools to make safe choices (same as we go on about safe sex).
I know if I'd have known about vaping and it had been around when I was your age that is the option I would have taken.

 

[zuzette]

got over feeling like a hypoctite....nicotine addiction is the hell route. be it vapeing or smoking your quest for nicotine is never ending. its not a very comfortable place to be in.

still...


better to vape than smoke. maybe your generation will make vaping cool enough to bring it mainstream and accepted. i hope so. the more former smokers there are...the better.

 

[kiwivap]

I wish vaping was around when I was 18. And that I had taken it up. But better late than never.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Welcome to ECF and congrats. You have my full support and I offer apologies to you for those individuals that have not treated you with the respect you deserve. Young, old, male, female, gay, straight, married, single, rich, poor, employed, unemployed, American, Canadian, British, Aussie, Chinese, European....as long as I can help someone kick the stinkies to the curb it really doesn't matter to me in the least. Just keep on doing what you're doing and you'll find many here that are of the same beliefs as myself.
Happy Vaping.

 

[Tolver]

The thing that struck me most was this. You are 18 years old. It is against the law for a person under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products in the USA. It is "regulated" in other words.

21 to drink and 18 to kill in the military, the world is full of contradictions. I started smoking when I was just 7 years old, (44 now), and no adult EVER refused to sell me cigs. No matter what you do in life there will be those who oppose you and those that are in favor of you. Do what YOU want to with YOUR life. Glad for you that you have the option of vaping vs cigs, a choice I never had as a child, and perhaps that is the cynicism you get from older ex-smokers, you have a choice they never had. Ah, to be young again with the knowledge I have now.

 

[edensin]

I was thinking the same thing Screwbag. Not that I agree mind you, as I would prefer kids did neither, but I have heard that argument so many times regarding condoms that it ran through my mind when reading this thread.
I'm not sure it's a good idea for either condoms or vaping, but it might be worth exploring.