Should you fight for your right to vape? Or should you abide by smoking bans that lump electronic cigarettes in with traditional tobacco ones? It can be a tough call, especially when many people see very little difference between old school smokes and e-cigs.
Respect Those Around You One of the main appeals of using e-cigs is that they are tobacco-free and do not give off a heavy, thick cloud of smelly smoke that hangs in the air and clings to hair, clothing and furniture. Instead, e-cigs create a vapor that is made to look like smoke. This gives users an experience similar to traditional smoking, but without all the chemicals from tobacco. The vapor from an e-cig does occasionally include a mild scent (special flavorings added to e-cigs can taste and smell like fruits, coffee, mint, etc.) but by design it dissipates quickly and leaves no cloudy haze behind.
That all said, many people still see very little difference between regular cigarettes and e-cigs. Just the sight of smoke-like vapor will be upsetting to some who fear they are being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke. Smoking is a very divisive issue and many people fought hard to ban it from restaurants, offices, public transportation, shopping centers, etc. When they see someone using an e-cig they may feel the rules are being broken and their health put at risk.
Teach
E-cig Don’ts
Don’t create huge plumes of smoke-like vapor when you are vaping in public. Be discreet and understand that while the vapor will quickly disappear, those around you might find it annoying or believe it to be harmful. Save your vapor cloud-making for home.
Don’t assume the law is on your side. Many local governments are banning the use of e-cigs just like they do traditional smokes. You might find these laws dumb, but they are still enforceable.
Don’t use e-cigs around children. If you want to avoid conflict and angry sneers, don’t puff your e-cig around kids. People are particularly concerned about secondhand smoke and children – and rightfully so – and often assume e-cigs are giving off dangerous tobacco smoke.
Don’t use in close, tight areas. E-cigs don’t put off stinky smoke, but their vapors do often have a mild, short-lived scent. This scent is typically from the flavorings, which means a vapor might smell and taste like cherry, vanilla, clove, coffee, etc. or whatever flavoring is added to the device. These smells are pleasant to most – and many of us buy expensive candles in these scents to freshen our homes – but not everyone is going to appreciate all the smells. For example, if you hate the smell of vanilla, you probably aren’t going to be too happy if the person beside you in the elevator starts vaping their vanilla-flavored e-cig.
With some simple concessions and basic manners, you can enjoy your e-cigs and not disturb others.