Your thoughts on kids who vape, but have never smoked an analog before?

[bluecat]

I got a bit annoyed when my cousin, who is 20 and has never smoked an analog in his life pulled out his vape and took a toot in front of me. I am 27 and have been smoking since I was 15. I am so thankful for vaping, it has changed my life for only the better. I asked him why he started vaping, he said that he didn't know, he just likes it and that everyone at his university was doing it.

I know its his life and whatnot, but I just think its so stupid to start vaping considering this is a life saving tool for smokers to basically finally live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy life they have always wanted without analogs. I know for myself, being a 1 PAD smoker for the past 10 years, I wish I never picked up the habit. I tried everything to quit and the only thing that has done miracles is vaping. I myself am pretty late to the vape train, I have only been doing it for about a month now..but I have also been analog free for a month.

What are the community's thoughts on this? Is vaping the cool thing to do now for younger kids? Instead of the "bad" kids smoking in high school, are they going to start vaping?

Just seems kind of ridiculous to me.

We all vape for different reasons. Would you rather him pull out a pack of smokes and light one up?

Some smoke less cigs. Others like you and I quit completely. Be thankful he is vaping and did not choose to smoke.

BTW if one wishes to smoke there is nothing wrong with that. I chose to stop. It is their life. I still smoke cigars. They will have to pry them from my cold dead hands.

 

[ElectricalSocket]

IF they are 18+, then fine, but younger than that, I would be extremely leery because it COULD potentially be a gateway thing. If it was at home with 0 nic juices (while your nic juices are all stored/locked away), then fine, but just be responsible about it.

With respect, it absolutely could NOT be a gateway thing. If you haven't smoked a cigarette since you started vaping, PLEASE go take a few drags off of one. Don't consider it a "relapse", consider it valuable research.

We can NOT allow these myths to continue. We especially can not have vapers believing these myths. WE are the ones who have first hand experience with smoking cigarettes and using e-cigs. These health professionals are making wild assumptions that are completely baseless. They don't know any better because they've never used either one. Apparently they haven't kept up with cigarette addiction research either (nicotine vs nicotine + MAOI's). A kid drinking coke, tea, coffee, or an energy drink is just as unhealthy and addictive as nicotine by itself. I don't see any health professionals looking to ban caffeine...hrm...wonder why?!

Please, see for yourself that no one would ever switch from e-cigs with delicious food flavorings to inhaling burning smoke. You can literally taste the carbon monoxide in the smoke after using e-cigs. It's comparable to scented candles vs. log fire smoke.

Someone may go from not smoking to smoking, but to go from e-cigs to smoking is almost impossible. Either believe me or see for yourself, because when the gateway argument is used to try and restrict the sale of e-cigs, we need to push back and say NO! NO CHANCE IN HELL! Not because we are assuming or pushing a theory, but because we KNOW this is the case.

 

[ElectricalSocket]

A friend of mine who wasn't a smoker started vaping. Occasionally she'd take a drag off my cigarette or smoke a cigar. I went with her when she got her first kit. The person at the vape store tried to talk her out of it. My friend eats when she's stressed or bored and wanted another option besides eating. I was happy she started. She feels better about herself now that she's no longer stress eating and threw out the cigars. She vapes 0 nic in dessert and fruit flavors. She's lost 5-10 pounds since she started vaping.

This is another use for e-cigs that could benefit public health. Someone with a food allergy being able to vape that flavor (possibly, depending on the chemical makeup of the flavor), helping someone with a food addiction, etc etc.

All that needs to be done (IMO) is study the effects of PG. It looks like there are more potential issues with PG than with nicotine. Oh noes! I WANTED Alzheimer's Dr. Pharma!

 

[DanMcVap]

Less than 15 minutes ago, my 17 year old non-smoker son(who turns 18 in September), asked me if when he turns 18, can he start vaping using 0 nic. Basically, he was asking for my blessing. In short I told him that e-cigs were designed to help people quit smoking, as a smoking alternative, and that it would be best that he just not vape at all. He responded by saying, "but alot of kids my age are doing it using 0 nic". I also told him that there are no studies out suggesting the safety of vaping and that each of us who vape are guinea pigs. So after my words to try to discourage him from vaping, I also told him that at 18 years old he will be able to make some of his own decisions in life.

 

[GraCnT]

I started smoking at age 14- I would steal a couple at first from my dad's pack. and later when completely hooked found a store who would sell them to me. They didn't card back then but still... it was frowned upon. 35 ys later, I use e cigs in place of cigarettes and am very very thankful for it.
So,
I found out My 18 yr old niece smokes. She was only a few months into it but she said she was hooked. I got her a ecig. I'd rather she vapes than smokes.
My 23 yr old daughter never smoked. Ever, but came home with a ego set up with low nic juice. She said She enjoys the buzz when out, and every now & again at home to relax she vapes ,0 nic for the flavors.
I'm in complete agreement that vaping is not a gateway to smoking. Smoking is a gross habit, it smells & to someone who vapes flavors who never smoked to try a drag? - imo they would put it out immediately. It tastes terrible, it burns, it makes you feel horrid.
Anyway, it's always better to not have any vices but this is reality. We all have them. At least thankfully we have a healthier vice choice.

 

[vap0rHo]

Vaping needs to stay as an analog alternative. If vaping recruits new nicotine addicts, It won't help anti vaping activists. By 2018 all cigar shops and hookah shops in Boston will be banned. Why is it that they feel like they must take away entire stores designated to people who willingly inhale second hand smoke and smoke themselves? Because it glorifies tobacco usage. It is the argument that will eventually be used against us.

 

[tomfoo13ry]

I think kids vaping is asinine...not as asinine as me smoking real cigarettes when I was 13 so I can't really judge too harshly.

 

[Gautama]

With respect, it absolutely could NOT be a gateway thing. If you haven't smoked a cigarette since you started vaping, PLEASE go take a few drags off of one. Don't consider it a "relapse", consider it valuable research.

We can NOT allow these myths to continue. We especially can not have vapers believing these myths. WE are the ones who have first hand experience with smoking cigarettes and using e-cigs. These health professionals are making wild assumptions that are completely baseless. They don't know any better because they've never used either one. Apparently they haven't kept up with cigarette addiction research either (nicotine vs nicotine + MAOI's). A kid drinking coke, tea, coffee, or an energy drink is just as unhealthy and addictive as nicotine by itself. I don't see any health professionals looking to ban caffeine...hrm...wonder why?!

Please, see for yourself that no one would ever switch from e-cigs with delicious food flavorings to inhaling burning smoke. You can literally taste the carbon monoxide in the smoke after using e-cigs. It's comparable to scented candles vs. log fire smoke.

Someone may go from not smoking to smoking, but to go from e-cigs to smoking is almost impossible. Either believe me or see for yourself, because when the gateway argument is used to try and restrict the sale of e-cigs, we need to push back and say NO! NO CHANCE IN HELL! Not because we are assuming or pushing a theory, but because we KNOW this is the case.

I see where you're coming from, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Over the past week I've read of multiple people who have gone from exclusively using PV's back to smoking. It's not about the taste, it's about that evil little weed that will always be in the back of some peoples minds. As far as PV's being a gateway, it's not the reality but the perception of it that is important. To be completely frank, why would the general populace believe what vapers say regarding whether or not PV's are a gateway to cigarette addiction when most of us are drug addicts ourselves?

 

[Ryedan]

The difference is that kids do not care. They WANT to do something that pisses off adults and they have no fear of mortality. The more you forbid, the more attractive it becomes. Please consider why you started smoking and lay off the preaching. It only encourages them. I say this as a mom of 20 somethings (who have never smoked) and as a decades long high school teacher. Understand your audience before prononuncing a cure all for future problems

When I started to smoke I was not trying to piss off anyone, just experimenting with something I thought was cool. Well, it backfired and I continued to smoke for the next 37 years, the later to my significant displeasure. Once I switched to vaping I found it was the smoking I was 'addicted' to, not the nicotine and that I had gained back control of both smoking and nicotine use through vaping.

I have never told anyone that didn't smoke to take up vaping and I will never do that. I do believe that if someone is going to start inhaling one or the other, vaping is the lesser of the evils.

I have never pronounced a cure for anything. Nor do I preach. Looked in the mirror lately?

 

[ElectricalSocket]

Well, I don't want anyone to start smoking again. From my own experience, e-cigs have let me see how horrible they taste. If it was the other way around, it would be a lot harder for me to quit. I'm actually smoking until my protank 2 arrives tomorrow, and I can't wait to get it. These things are gross, and I'd like to be able to breathe.

Of course, some people are going to have a harder time quitting. Our brains have been physically changed and there's no shame in trying snus + ecigs or looking for a good anti-depressant. I would normally never recommend that, but I believe we are more prone to be depressed (or at least not as happy as we *should* be) after quitting. If someone absolutely can't quit with ecigs alone, surely adding a side-effect free MAOI (if one exists) to the daily routine would be better than smoking. I'll have to look more into it.

You're right, it is the perception that counts. Which is why we have to be just as pro-active as the "health" professionals spreading lies, and get the truth out there. This is psychological warfare.

 

[Intervap]

Warning: Potentially unpopular opinions ahead. Flame if you must, but this is really what I think.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think many kids are gonna take up vaping because the cool factor just isn't there. Let's be honest: smoking looks cool. That's why most of us took it up in the first place. But I don't care if you're James Dean or Marlon Brando and/or you can produce room-filling clouds of vapor, puffing on something that looks like a toy cigarette, a pen, a flashlight or an ICBM is always gonna look a little dorky compared to smoking a cigarette. And really, that's fine with me. If the public associates vaping with nerds and not with badasses and juvenile delinquents, they'll be more likely to leave us the hell alone. Take it from a former JD

I have to respectfully disagree to this. Walking downtown I CONSTANTLY have kids ask me about my mod (and I give them the answers). Where to get it, how much it costs, what's it taste like, and if they can take a drag. I have a feeling that when kids get a hold of the larger ecigs (egos and mods alike) they feel cooler than their smoking buddies. Its something new, better, and is healthier. This most certainly is not true for every teenager in the world, but from my personal experience I have had more teens ask for a drag off my mod than my cigarette.

 

[st1y1]

The first time i tried an analog i was 6, stole one of my moms & tried it. Coughed like crazy, got caught by my pops, got dirty lickins from pops, told my momz, caught cracks from her also. 6 yrs later i started smoking, i was 12. By 13 i was carrying around my own pack. Im 37 now & havent had an analog for 7 weeks 5 days & counting. Point is if a kid was to start vaping instead of smoking an cig thats one less victim to big tobacco & all the harmful side effects of smoking. Vape on the world over, pv's up

 

[killua086]

Im 21, never smoked analog before, but now a vaper, vaping mostly 0mg and 3mg to 6mg at times, i just like the flavors, and using it to reduce my food craving at times..

 

[ElectricalSocket]

The general population doesn't need to believe us dirty drug addicts, they just need to see the facts backed up by peer-reviewed scientific journals. Don't believe for one second that a vaper is any more of a "drug addict" than ANYONE who drinks caffeinated beverages.

"Nicotine is the major neuroactive compound of tobacco, which has, by itself, *weak reinforcing properties*. It is known that levels of the enzymes monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and MAO-B are reduced in the platelets and brains of smokers and that substances, other than nicotine, present in tobacco smoke have MAO-inhibitory activities. Here, we report that *inhibition of MAO* dramatically and specifically increases the motivation to self-administer nicotine in rats...The results suggest that the inhibition of MAO activity by compounds present in tobacco smoke may combine with nicotine to produce the intense reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking that lead to addiction."

"In addition, it has been shown in several species that nicotine has relatively weak reinforcing properties compared with other addictive drugs. Such a weak reinforcing property cannot explain by itself the intense addictive properties of tobacco smoking, the difficulty most smokers experience in attempting to quit, and the high relapse rates after quitting"

It is a scientific FACT that nicotine by itself is not highly addictive. Anecdotal evidence presented in this forum further backs that up. Many now use 0 nic. Others don't move down from 6-12mg/ml because of a lack of throat hit. I.e. psychological addiction, not physical. Point being, if someone doesn't want to believe me, they can argue with the technical papers I shove in their face.

Source

 

[SharonMM]

Well.. think about it this way. Ecigs are becoming more and more common, and hopefully in the future they will completely replace traditional cigarettes. However, I'm pretty sure that kids will always be dumb until the end of time. So yesterday's dumb kid picked up smoking, and tomorrow's dumb kid will pick up vaping.

I guess its not quite as dumb considering ecigs do not carry the same hazards (that we know of at this time), but all in all, it's better off to never start. It's still an expensive, time consuming and socially unacceptable habit and I wouldn't do it if I weren't addicted.

 

[dr g]

The first time i tried an analog i was 6, stole one of my moms & tried it. Coughed like crazy, got caught by my pops, got dirty lickins from pops, told my momz, caught cracks from her also. 6 yrs later i started smoking, i was 12. By 13 i was carrying around my own pack. Im 37 now & havent had an analog for 7 weeks 5 days & counting. Point is if a kid was to start vaping instead of smoking an cig thats one less victim to big tobacco & all the harmful side effects of smoking. Vape on the world over, pv's up

Haha I was reading this and by the 2nd sentence I knew you were from Hawaii, didn't even have to check the location

 

[ElectricalSocket]

Im 21, never smoked analog before, but now a vaper, vaping mostly 0mg and 3mg to 6mg at times, i just like the flavors, and using it to reduce my food craving at times..

Evil! Pure evil! lol

Honestly, we all know why we don't want to support non-smokers vaping. Fear. We know it's going to be used against us by ignorant ANTZ. Well I'm tired of living in fear based on what some ahole might do.

Instead of being scared, stocking up, hoping nothing happens, etc...we need to act. We need to shove science in peoples face. We need to say HEY! This is healthier than those processed chicken nuggets you feed to your kid!

No one has a right to judge us. No one. Just because it looks like smoking doesn't mean it's smoking. Just because it has nicotine doesn't mean it's unhealthy. Look at the environment most of us live in, it's not healthy. EM radiation, vehicle exhaust, unhealthy food, you name it.

We need to MAKE it socially acceptable. The reason it isn't understood is because the ANTZ are working hard to spread their lies and assumptions.

As far as the whole Canton thing:
Dr. Lester Hartman is not writing letters to people saying 'Hey my name is Lester, and I think your town should ban e-cigs'. He's going town to town in person and talking with city councils, trying to influence them. We need to do the same. Letters are one way to influence people, but I am ...... and I'm going to act! We need everyone 18+ who's on a diet vaping 0nic juice in flavors they can't eat. Literally everyone with a food addiction, on a diet, food allergy, diabetus, etc needs to know about vaping.

Out of fear and self-preservation we want to keep it ex-smoker only, but it doesn't matter what we do. These groups and industries who want to crush us will do it regardless. We've got to have numbers on our side, to keep them at bay for at least a year. Then more research will be completed and we'll have more science on our side. A week ago I might have sang a different tune, but this fear crap has got to go. We need an army. This is Sparta lol

 

[Abbell]

They Vape for the same reason many of us started smoking in the first place... "All the cool kids do it"

While this is perhaps an oversimplification it is still a valid point. I would hope that they are using 0 nic, but that is like hoping that they would only drink decaf or non-alcoholic beer.

The one shining angle I can see is that this can be a habit that is easy to quit when they want to. Nicotine IS addictive, but the blood saturation levels and dopamine release seems much lower than on an analog based on one of the studies I saw.

In the end I do think your point is good, but there is a risk of becoming the obstacle ourselves to ourselves.

 

[Ryedan]

Warning: Potentially unpopular opinions ahead. Flame if you must, but this is really what I think.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think many kids are gonna take up vaping because the cool factor just isn't there. Let's be honest: smoking looks cool. That's why most of us took it up in the first place. But I don't care if you're James Dean or Marlon Brando and/or you can produce room-filling clouds of vapor, puffing on something that looks like a toy cigarette, a pen, a flashlight or an ICBM is always gonna look a little dorky compared to smoking a cigarette. And really, that's fine with me. If the public associates vaping with nerds and not with badasses and juvenile delinquents, they'll be more likely to leave us the hell alone. Take it from a former JD

Sorry Vapo, but I seriously doubt that. I think the cool factor in vaping is there and there is nothing we can do to stop some young'uns from taking it up. I suspect that will be bad for us, but there is also nothing we can do about it. I hope I am wrong. Maybe legislation will stop this (that was a very poor attempt at sarcasm!)

 

[Tatsel_Morte]

Evil! Pure evil! lol

Honestly, we all know why we don't want to support non-smokers vaping. Fear. We know it's going to be used against us by ignorant ANTZ. Well I'm tired of living in fear based on what some ahole might do.

Instead of being scared, stocking up, hoping nothing happens, etc...we need to act. We need to shove science in peoples face. We need to say HEY! This is healthier than those processed chicken nuggets you feed to your kid!

No one has a right to judge us. No one. Just because it looks like smoking doesn't mean it's smoking. Just because it has nicotine doesn't mean it's unhealthy. Look at the environment most of us live in, it's not healthy. EM radiation, vehicle exhaust, unhealthy food, you name it.

We need to MAKE it socially acceptable. The reason it isn't understood is because the ANTZ are working hard to spread their lies and assumptions.

As far as the whole Canton thing:
Dr. Lester Hartman is not writing letters to people saying 'Hey my name is Lester, and I think your town should ban e-cigs'. He's going town to town in person and talking with city councils, trying to influence them. We need to do the same. Letters are one way to influence people, but I am ...... and I'm going to act! We need everyone 18+ who's on a diet vaping 0nic juice in flavors they can't eat. Literally everyone with a food addiction, on a diet, food allergy, diabetus, etc needs to know about vaping.

Out of fear and self-preservation we want to keep it ex-smoker only, but it doesn't matter what we do. These groups and industries who want to crush us will do it regardless. We've got to have numbers on our side, to keep them at bay for at least a year. Then more research will be completed and we'll have more science on our side. A week ago I might have sang a different tune, but this fear crap has got to go. We need an army. This is Sparta lol

Agreed!

I use vaping for more than just nicotine. I'm overweight and I use it for diet control. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I keep a few desert flavors so that when it does rear its ugly head, I can vape some banana creme instead of eating a piece of pie. Where it really helps me is soda. I vape red bull, mountain dew, and occasionally cola so that I don't drink 60 oz. of soda every day. I also vape a lot of coffee because I'm absolutely more addicted to caffeine than nicotine, but when I vape coffee flavors I kinda play a mean psychological joke on myself for the better by tricking my brain into thinking I've got a cup, or rather I'm sucking on coffee beans as it were. Vaping for exactly 1 month today; I've lost almost 20 pounds simply because my diet immediately improved: less sugar and caffeine, more fruits cause I can taste again and I vape a lot of fruit.

There are many ways that vaping can help different issues that many of us, not just smokers, have and struggle with.