The Importance of Educating the Masses
Last week I posted about getting proactive when it comes to vape bans and other Legal Mumbo-Jumbo designed to turn us into criminals in the eyes of the Nannies. It looks like, however, we really need to add another group to the list; The Uninitiated.
Most of us have probably read in the forums about a fellow vaper who has lost a job due to vaping. Another works for an employer that would ban e-cig use on their property. Even Yours Truly was faced with the prospect of being denied the privilege of vaping in the building I work in recently.
Now, depending upon the sources and the numbers you go by, there are somewhere between 3 million to 5 million people who vape in the United States. Sounds like a lot — but in reality, there are about 240 million people in the US over the age of 18 according to the latest 2012 Census Bureau estimates. That means we are in a very small minority; just a little over 2% of the entire adult population. And as much as we may know about vaping, that means there’s a whole bunch of folks out there that, to cop a phrase, don’t know Jack. And the little they do know has probably come from the same disinformation and propaganda we’ve all seen and derided.
There are apparently folks who think our devices and mods are Dope Utilization Devices; hell, I was once pulled over twice in one morning by cops who saw me tooting on a ProVari. One of them told me the reason he pulled me over was because he thought I was smoking marijuana in a bong of some sort. I kinda think he was full of bovine fecal matter and was just hoping when he ran my license and plates that I was a Known Criminal he could bust. Be that as it may, if people in authority don’t know what vaping is, then we have some serious work to do.
None of us should be hesitant about vaping in public on public property or streets and sidewalks if we wish. We shouldn’t feel nervous about asking bar owners or restaurant operators if we can vape on their property. We need for people to see that we’re businessmen, mothers, lawyers, craftsmen and otherwise Just Like Them. We need to politely and enthusiastically answer their questions and explain why we use e-cigarettes. But we should strive to make sure we don’t come across as rude, condescending or arrogant; what people think of us as people transfer to what they think about the things we do as well. And we need to let businesses know that we will support those who treat us with respect.
You’ll find another blog post I made about the possible vape ban in my building and how it was turned around. I basically followed the advice I’m giving here…educating, explaining and showing. It may not work in every situation and with everybody– but for each person who we can educate and make see that what we’re doing is relatively harmless and even beneficial, that will be one less person who believes the disinformation and distortions being thrown around as the Gospel truth by others.
Vape proud, fellow babies!
Right On!!
Awesome
Right on. Say it loud I’m a Vaper and I’m Proud.
It blows my mind that cops in Florida are pulling you over for vaping when the entire eastern Half of the US is flocking to your state for the ‘Pain clinics”
Im new to this forum, and im proud to say im a VAPOR!
vaping ftw
Hear, hear! I educate anyone who will listen and I hope that some of those people will stand up and speak up if they hear someone arguing against Vaping based on misinformation or ignorance.
Bring the pain Slap!!
as someone that works in an environment that has clumped e cigs in the no-smoking policy, i understand this way too well. can’t afford to lose my job and don’t want anyone else to lose their jobs, either—therefore, we must be a positive endorser in every possible place and situation that we can do so.
I vape every where and welcome the questions so I can share my story
I love your blogs!!! I was shocked how loittle people know about vaping. I play pool fairly often and out of habit I guess I always stepped outside to vape along with the smokers. To give you all the credit after your last blog I thought I would see how the owner would respond to my request to vape indoors and he was astonished by the idea. His business has taken a huge hit since they banned smoking and he is now looking into offering pv’s along with an assortment of juices for the players to use while playing. He believes vaping can save his business and with the right choices so do I. Listen to him everybody and make vaping known.
Right on bro. Great advice. We just got a new director at my job, so i’m sure its only a matter of time before i’m confronted with answering a survey of questions about what it is I am doing.
Awesome
Thanks for taking the time to read these rambling screeds, everyone. Any requests?
Education is key
Really nice post.
Great post…..
Simple truths…..
slap, no clue what to tell you to ramble about—just that your posts are awesome and to please continue
We are the first impressions upon those who don’t know. And as that, we are also ambassadors to the world of vaping, so it’s important that we are also knowledgeable so people don’t think we are up to no good. UncleRJ carries information on his jump drive to support the fact that they are not harmful to others… great idea.
Great blog likes always Slap
I vape everywhere on everything. I have had several people ask me “Is that one of them ecig” I have also had the word vaporizer used. Im kind of OCD and have to calm myself cause I know without a doubt I could easily freak someone out. I love to talk VAPE and am fully ready to drop some knowledge on a newbie.
I agree! I vape in many places, but others I sneak-vape. I don’t know what the policy is at work about vaping. Well, I know there isn’t one but who knows what would happen if Isoeone saw me vaping at my desk.
Great blogging
My wife and I are starting to vape more in public…..
I almost find it comical , to see the looks on folks faces…..
Great piece Slap-Maxwell i always find your words invigorating! thank you!!!!
vape strong, vape proud
I’ve actually started vaping in public, so far nothing negative has happened.
Right-on
I work in a home improvement store and there is a few contractors that puff on the disposables as they walk around the store. No one says a word to them, I’m sure it’d be a different story if I started puffing in the break room though. Ahh double standards,
Good post
Who’s gonna volunteer to drag out that 400 watt PV Abby posted in the forums and start hitting that on Main Street?
Amazing post
you know slap, i have been thinking about bringing up vaping more at work, but since i am a loner at work, and at a factory i do it in the bathroom, my coworkers actually love the scent lol