How To Influence Perceptions of Vaping

Vaping has many positive aspects. You may have started as a way to stop smoking cigarettes or do it just because it’s fun. However, vaping is not something that everyone views favorably. While vaping has become relatively mainstream now, public perceptions of it still aren’t the best. Nonsmokers often connect vaping with smoking cigarettes and therefore view the practice as harmful and unpleasant. Ironically, many smokers have their own problems with it; in particular, they may feel judged by vapers, which prompts them to act rudely. All too often, vapers get defensive when others look down on them for vaping, without even realizing that they are part of the problem. This negativity often stems from a lack of etiquette regarding the practice. Read on for a few tips on proper vape etiquette, and be part of the solution rather than the problem.

Vaping Etiquette Tips 

Whether you are new to vaping or have been into it for some time, it never hurts to brush up on some basic etiquette. By keeping the following dos and don’ts in mind, you can do your part to not only be a courteous vaper but to also influence and improve perceptions about the practice.

Some Vaping Dos

• Do ask first. Since vaping affects your immediate environment and anyone in it, it is crucial to always ask permission before partaking when others are around. Even when you know that the people you are with are fine with it, ask. Better to double check than to upset someone. 
• Do go outside. Whenever possible, take your vaping outside. Unless you’re in your own home, it is far more considerate to act based on the idea that others don’t want to see or smell vapor indoors. In fact, you should just assume that you’re required to go outside unless explicitly invited to partake indoors.
• Do educate others. When someone gives you dirty looks or says something disparaging about your vaping, resist the urge to be rude. Instead, use this time as an opportunity to educate the other person about vaping. Explain why you enjoy doing it, and go into more detail if he or she expresses curiosity. Do what you can to keep the situation from escalating. By exhibiting calmness and friendliness in such a confrontation, you will do a lot to improve others’ perceptions about vaping.

Some Vaping Don’ts 

• This probably goes without saying, but don’t blow vapor in people’s faces. Whenever you are vaping around others—especially around those who don’t vape themselves—be conscientious about where you are blowing your vapor. You may be enamored of the huge clouds you produce, but others definitely aren’t. If you inadvertently blow vapor in someone’s direction, make a point of apologizing for it right away. One of the top complaints about vapers is their tendency to want to show off their huge clouds, so refraining from doing so around others will help them to form better views of vapers.
• Don’t “stealth vape.” When in situations where vaping is definitely not allowed, you may find yourself tempted to sneak off and do some vaping in secret. Even if you don’t get caught, this is a big problem. If nothing else, others may realize that someone has been vaping on the sly, and this might confirm whatever prejudices they have against vapers. Keep in mind that vaping is a privilege, not a right, and that there are plenty of opportunities in any given day to do it without resorting to deception.
• Don’t vape around pets or children. As a general rule, keep your vape out of sight when pets or children are around. Assume that anyone who has kids or four-legged friends will be opposed to having vapor clouds swirling around them. You might think about asking permission, but this unfairly puts people on the spot. They may agree to let you go ahead, but you will still come across as a pushy person who can’t hold off on vaping regardless of the circumstances—and that’s the exact type of stigma we need to eradicate.

We love vaping as much as you do, but as with anything, there is a time and a place for it. Even if you start employing the above tips and are extremely conscientious about your vaping, know that there will always be people who look down upon it. By doing your part to be a courteous vaper, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you’re helping to blow away negative misperceptions about it—and that’s a great thing.