How to be an ethical vaper

The jury is still out on whether or not vaping—or the use of electronic cigarettes—is a safer alternative to smoking but we can’t deny its presence. When vaping started to become popular, people were using pen-type devices that produced the same amount of vapor as a cigarette producing smoke. But now, the popularity of the term “cloud chasing”—producing a large amount of face-erasing vapor—has caught on and more and more people are taking notice for better or for worse.

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If you’re a vaper, chances are you’ve heard of the Golden Rule: “Don’t vape where you can’t smoke.” It’s a very straightforward rule, but a lot of vapers (especially the newbies) don’t seem to get it. Vapers can argue that it’s not smoke, which is true, but other people still react negatively to seeing it. Common courtesy dictates to be mindful of other people around you, and that goes double when vaping.

So if you don’t get it yet, here’s a quick list of places where you CANNOT blow massive clouds:

1. Malls

A lot people have seen vapers doing their thing in malls. Don’t be one of them. If there is a vape shop inside a mall, then the shop’s immediate vicinity is the only place you can vape. And please be mindful of the shop’s house rules, like “blow downwards” or “no cloud chasing.” These rules are meant to keep the discomfort level of non-vapers to a minimum. Theaters are also off-limits to vaping! It doesn’t follow that if you can get away with it, you should do it.

2. PUVs

The mode of transport (bus, jeep, shuttle, etc.) doesn’t really matter. Enclosed or not, don’t vape inside public transport vehicles! You’re not really contributing to the image of vapers by trying to look cool with your clouds. There’s a law that prohibits smoking in public utility vehicles, so don’t try to make it harder for you and argue that you’re not smoking. No one really likes to smell and see someone smoking in a jeep, so don’t be that douchebag. If it was in your own vehicle, go ahead and fog it up (but risk getting flagged by traffic enforcers or crashing).

3. Supermarkets/Marketplaces

Your nearby tiangge, wet market, supermarket, or mini mart aren’t places to vape as well. Sure, they have wide spaces, but it’s still an area with people coming and going. One can argue that smokers do it in wet markets, but a vaper isn’t a smoker anymore and should be a little more disciplined at least. If you really need to vape, go outside where there isn’t much foot traffic and always remember to blow downwards or minimize the cloud chasing.

4. Events

It’s always better to err on the side of caution and keep your e-cig or mod in your pocket or bag (safely turned off, of course) during conventions and events that fill up with people quickly. Some events like open-air events and concerts are a little more relaxed to vapers and smokers, but just be sure you’re not blowing clouds to where you’re obstructing someone else’s view of the stage. You’re there to enjoy the concert, not to show off your skills at blowing clouds. Again, douchebag move to cloud chase to the point where no one can see the stage anymore. Closed-area concerts are always no-vaping zones.

5. In front of kids

There will be family reunions aplenty, and that means a house full of kids. While the little ones think all your cloud production is cool, don’t indulge them by blowing vapor in front of them. I would always try to not smoke in front of kids, because they could pick it up. We don’t really need kids being influenced to vape when they don’t even smoke. Plus, their parents might find it wrong and intrusive, so when the adults excuse themselves to go out and smoke, it would be best to follow them out to vape away from kids. Also, you get the bonus of sharing the benefits of vaping into your yosi break conversations.

6. Walking on the sidewalk

Yes it’s a public place and yes, there’s no law (in certain municipalities, at least) that prohibits smoking while walking along the sidewalk, but that doesn’t mean you can vape, too. No one really wants to walk behind a smoker, especially when foot traffic is high, so don’t make it uncomfortable to other people  by showing off how much clouds you output while walking. No one got recognition for chewing gum while walking, so there’s no real reason to vape while walking along the busy sidewalks of Makati. Plus, your massive cloud can potentially be dangerous when crossing, as people behind you may have a hard time seeing traffic lights or incoming traffic.

7. Office

You’re not cool by stealth vaping and blowing under your cubicle. Most offices don’t allow vaping while you’re at your desk, so don’t be that guy that secretly does it but everyone in your vicinity knows anyway. Be sure to clear it with your HR department if vaping is allowed within office premises. If you happen to belong in a company that allows vaping, then good for you! Although try and not be that cloud chaser who singlehandedly fogs up the entire floor with your tricked out build and fresh batteries. It could be annoying to non-vapers and potentially disruptive.

The lesson here is to not try and find loopholes when it comes to the Golden Rule of vaping. Always keep in mind that vaping was invented to help smokers quit the habit, not to be cool. The image of vaping isn’t very well-received at the moment, with countries banning it outright. Vaping etiquette is there for a reason: to teach vapers a form of discipline that allows them to enjoy vaping but not being a major pain in the butt for non-vapers.

Photo credits to
Vaping360. 

https://pixabay.com/photos/e-cigarette-vaping-blu-cigs-blu-1301670/