Dionne's Journey Continues... Part 2 - What's Vaping all about?

Hi again, I’m so pleased to see you come back. Let’s just get a cuppa shall we?

How have you been getting on since you last visited?

Have you noticed recently “vaping” has become quite a mainstream word and has been the focus of much media attention?

More and more people are becoming aware of electronic cigarette devices, and the “powers” of eliquid.

For me, it’s reassuring to know that there is a lot of research being done into electronic cigarettes and eliquids now that vaping is spreading like proverbial wild fire.

WHAT’S VAPING?

Vaping, a term used to describe the act of inhaling and exhaling the vapour produced when the liquid nicotine (eliquid) used is atomised with an electronic cigarette is done in the same way as smoking; you inhale and exhale in the same way.

Much like someone addicted to smoking is a “smoker” when using an electronic cigarette instead that person becomes a Vaper.

The difference is that as a Vaper you’re free from the over 4000 harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.

You’ll stop adding pollution into the atmosphere (and your home).

You wont be harming your own or anyone else’s health.

You’ll no longer be treated like a pariah in society, an outcast pushed into the cold. Literally.

DAYS GONE BY

Its kind of strange isn’t it when you see an old movie or some film footage where people are smoking, posed with their cigarettes held elegantly?

1920’s flapper girls immortalised in advertisement posters holding their elongated cigarette usually in a holder, with a smoke plume coming from seductively parted lips or powerful men in their business suits…..or rugged, devastatingly handsome bare chested men with slicked back hair and a cigarette seductively between their lips… It was for such a long timede rigueur to smoke and to be seen smoking. It seems so unreal now and hard to imagine doesn't it?

I was watching “Call The Midwife” set in the 1950’s the other day and the doctor was smoking and even said to the nurse at the baby clinic he did not have an ashtray in his room to which she answered “Yes Doctor, I’ll see to it right away!”

Those times are well behind us. Life and knowledge have moved on. And with that, so have we. Luckily with these new technologies we’re able to continue taking our nicotine in a much less harmful way.

CONSPICUOUS!

To begin with I felt embarrassed about being seen with or using my e-cig. I was afraid people would see the vapour and think I was smoking. Or that I’d look a little silly with my “pretend cigarette”……

On one memorable evening my husband was spotted vaping (even though we were doing it very stealthily) and he was reported on by a vigilant member of the bar staff to the venue’s bouncers’. Quite suddenly he was physically uplifted by two burley security men and ejected from the premises. It wasn’t until they had got him outside that he was able to show them that he was in factvaping. They then put him down, apologised and allowed him back inside!

It wasn’t that long ago, but word of mouth is a wonderful thing. Now it’s becoming quite common to see people in the street or in the pub quietly and happily vaping…

During a recent stay in hospital I vaped too without any issues from anyone including the doctors and consultants I saw. However, I’m also hearing and seeing that pubs and restaurants are now banning vaping. Although it is legal to vape inside, pub landlords and restauranteurs are within their rights to ban this and for now apart from trying to educate people there seems little we can do…. Me? I practice the stealth vape! I take an inhale and hold it inside a few moments and exhale slowly. No vapour. I have done this on planes too!!!

In 2011 at a music festival I vaped away quite openly (having quite quickly got over the feeling of being different or worried about being caught smoking inside). Then, when I noticed people were looking, I offered a smile and approached them and engaged in conversation and offered my e-cig so that they could experience for themselves that this vaping is indeed a totally viable way to make the change they may already have been considering….. By doing this, I was I suppose part of the vaping revolution and was helping to spread the word!

MAKING DECISIONS

The internet has been a great influence in spreading the knowledge and for most of us it has provided the only access to these e-cig (electronic cigarette) devices. But this is rapidly changing too! Have you noticed them being stocked in corner shops and being sold by market stall holders ? Have you passed any of the new stores who specialise only in vaping supplies?

As in most things, there is a wealth of information to be found online. Some of it will be biased, some of it not. You may have friends who vape and can always seek their opinions and maybe try their kit out to see if you feel it will work for you! I’ve yet to come across another vaper who is not passionate about their product!

In trying to make good decisions it’s hard to know where to begin in sifting out the good from the bad isn't it?

There’s a vast array of options, and whilst we see that there is a viable alternative to smoking, it is a HUGE step to make and one that fills us with angst, particularly if we have tried and failed to give up tobacco before now.

We all know how it feels when there is one cigarette left in the pack but you cant get to the shop until morning. Or worse, you finally smoke your final and last ever cigarette!

Next time we meet let’s talk about all the anxiety and angst you will face because there is a lot you might feel anxiety about…