How to become a proper and cultured vaper ?
With its horrendous array of laws, restrictions, bans, and taxes, the world community has made it abundantly clear how much it hates smokers. Those of us who have been in the ex-smoker category know our place in society. We can’t smoke in most places. If we try, security will immediately escort us out the door.
Even smoking outside is a minefield, with all sorts of local laws requiring you to make sure you're 15 feet away from a public area's entrance, or to look around to make sure you're not in a public area while smoking.
Because of all these laws, if we want to smoke, we have to stand outside in the winter, get wet in the rain, or smoke in the dead heat of summer. To make matters worse, some areas force us to smoke in the trunk of our cars with all the windows closed. For God's sake, if you're a decent smoker, you obey all these laws. You smoke where it's allowed and stay out of the areas where it's not allowed - and you certainly don't throw your cigarette butts on the street. Instead, you're forced to carry them around and stink like a cigarette butt until you find a trash can.
But now that I vape, do I not have to follow those rules anymore…?
Wrong! I've seen the era of cultural smokers turn into selfish vapers. I've seen smokers turn to vaping , buying the necessary gear and e-juice . I've seen smokers rave about the taste of e-juice. I've seen new vapers wanting to vape everywhere, because, well, why not?! Vaping is safer! Vaping tastes great! Vaping smells good to those around them! So why can't vapers vape everywhere, get their nicotine fix while still enjoying great flavors and creating big clouds?
I have experienced those feelings, those thoughts, those desires. As a smoker, I hated the smell of cigarettes so I only allowed myself to smoke outside or in the car with all the windows rolled down. Now that I vape, I can vape in the car with all the windows closed, vape indoors with family and friends. I also want to be able to vape in public areas, in stores, in movie theaters.
These are things that so many of us wish we were allowed to do, but you absolutely, I mean absolutely, cannot do.
Regulations for e-cigarettes are becoming clearer and more numerous.
There are already many cities, countries, and even states that have begun to legislate and treat e-cigarettes as no different than cigarettes. Some of us are being forced to vape outside, away from building doors, and even outside of public areas (like sidewalks and parks). There are tickets that are making vaping into something more harmful than smoking. One way to prevent these laws from happening is for us to be as culturally responsible vapers as we are smokers. Vaping is a new technology and as early adopters, we have a responsibility to be good ambassadors for the vaping community.
Do's and Don'ts of Being a Proper Vaper
You should tell vapers under 18 to stop immediately. If you’re in a vape and e-liquid store and notice people under 18 trying to buy products, remind the store staff to check their ID. Not to mention, it’s one of the best ways for any vaper to keep restrictions to a minimum.
Ask staff to check identification for customers suspected of being under 18.
Do not throw disposable e-cigarettes on the curb after use. Do not throw your e-cigarette waste anywhere. It is best not to litter, whether it is e-cigarette related or not.
Do not vape indoors unless you have asked and been given permission to vape in that area. This applies to restaurants, bars, stores, and private areas.
Leave immediately if someone asks you to stop vaping, or asks you to vape outside. This is completely normal, so please obey.
Go outside to vape if you are asked to
Don’t vape during public discussions about regulating e-cigarettes. This only makes us look bad, gives the opposition a reason to argue, and is likely to push vaping into a corner.
Self-imposed rules and bans? You're crazy!
Do you want to self-regulate or be forced to do so by the law? Making yourself a nuisance when you vape, whether it’s vaping while grocery shopping or not speaking up when you see e-liquid being sold to people you think are under 18, is one of the reasons e-cigarettes get a bad rap from outsiders. The “whatever, I’ll do what I want” vaper mentality is why the laws imposed on us are so onerous (increased taxes, restrictions on where you vape, tighter regulations on e-liquid production, etc.). So do everyone a favor and don’t be a nuisance, be a great, decent vaper instead of an asshole.
Vaping comes with responsibility
Vaping can be fun - but remember that vaping is very similar to smoking in the public eye because of its large, visible clouds of smoke. Most people associate smoke with danger, and because the vapor looks so much like smoke, they can't help but associate it with the negative aspects of smoking. So until more people are properly educated about what vaping is and how safe it is compared to smoking, vapers will have to do their best to prove that vaping is different from smoking and accept being seen as just another type of smoker - especially if we can't learn to self-regulate.
