By Sarah Johnson
Whether you’re vaping around friends or strangers that don’t vape themselves, you’re likely to get a few quizzical looks and might even be on the receiving end of some of the most common questions.
Need some help with answering them? Don’t worry we’ve got them covered for you. Despite millions of people now vaping and the practice growing rapidly over recent years, there are still plenty of people that are baffled by e-cigarettes, e-juice, and the clouds that seem to follow some vapers around.
They might get frustrating at times but taking the time to answer peoples’ questions could actually help the perception of vapers by spreading information. You might feel like your answering the same question over and over again but eventually the message and knowledge will spread.
Here are eight of the most common questions:
Does that work?
This question might be annoyingly vague but it’s one of the most common that vapers will experience. Usually people mean ‘does an e-cigarette help you quit smoking?’ when they ask this question. This is a great time to relay your own personal experiences. If it’s helped you give up traditional tobacco, let them know. Likewise, if you’ve never smoked but simply enjoy vaping, including using e-juice with no nicotine, it’s a great way to educate people.
Is it really less harmful than smoking?
With so many conflicting reports on the effects of vaping and comparisons drawn with cigarettes, this is going to be a popular question for some time. You might want to jump in immediately with a ‘Yes!’ but showing a bit of balance can help. Explain that so far lots of major studies from respected organisations indicate this is the case but additional research is being conducted. Bonus points if you can point them in the direction of some key pieces of research.
Aren’t they just as addictive as cigarettes?
One of the most common misconceptions is that all e-liquid contains addictive substance nicotine. While it might be the case that you do vape nicotine, explaining the choice on the vaping market here can help people better understand the appeal of vaping.
What flavour do you vape?
For many people e-juice means fruity flavours and strange sweet like concoctions. It’s often assumed that this is reason you vape, especially if you didn’t smoke before. Most of the time people are just curious and want to learn more, it’s a great conversation starter.
Do they cost a lot of money?
This is a question that’s often thrown out by those that have just started considering vaping and don’t really know what they should be investing in. For most people, the initial outlay can be pricey but e-liquids are certainly affordable, especially when you compare it to the cost of smoking. Highlight how large the market is here, with everything from wallet-friendly starter kits to fancy mods available, you might even convert someone.
Aren’t there lots of chemicals in that?
In tobacco, there are over 4,000 chemicals, including some that have been linked to cancer. Due to being closely associated with traditional cigarettes, non-vapers often assume e-cigs are the same. In contrast, e-liquids typically have three main chemicals – propylene glycol, vegetable glycerol, and nicotine – and flavourings that are generally food grade and recognised as safe, a big difference from the chemicals found in tobacco.
Aren’t you worried they’re dangerous?
When vaping first came to the US, there weren’t many regulations implemented Now that’s changed but it seems to have passed by non-vapers by and stories of exploding e-cigs don’t help. However, it’s important to point out that rules for vaping are out and becoming more stringent, making the use of proper e-cigarettes safe, although there will always be accidents, as there are with many electronic items.
Is it complicated to use?
If you’re looking to speak enthusiastically about vaping, you should see this is the perfect opportunity. It’ll usually be asked by someone who wants to vape but simply doesn’t have a clue what all the parts do. It might seem complicated when you first get started but we’re sure you can easily explain how to use a vaping device and even hand out some tips of your own to get them started if they choose.