Meet the vapers

[markm]

Just a thought, and it may well have been raised before, could not the mini meets springing up around the country be 
used to promote the activity. Someone suggested meeting in a park, when the weather warms up, a good place to spread the word perhaps. Invite the local press along, hand out fliers, explain what's happening with EU etc.
If there is a local vendor perhaps they could come along.

Someone had talked about public demonstrations, but I have reservations about distancing us from the very people we really want/need to join with us, the smokers out there.

positive promotion of vaping must surely have more benefits for us all, not to mention saving a few lives along the way.

So less of "the vape meet", more of "Meet the Vapor!"

[mybad]

I think the non vapers are coming into contact with vapers on a daily basis more and more just in routine activity's , street, pub , park, etc. so I would think if their was any self interest they would seek it out anyway.

[markm]

Yes but I was thinking of simply putting a slant on what people are already organising to help spread the word. Meeting one odd ball may tcause a gue interest that could be added to with a larger group getting together. There is also the possibility of media interest on a local level, they are less likely to have a vested interest in the anti movement.

Most smokers will have seen a disposable, how many are even aware mods or rebuilable atomizers even exist.

[mybad]

I would think that anyone who gets out and about will have seen at least one or two people with an e cig of one kind or another, like I said if they have a an interest they will seek it out, also if I was to see a group of people standing around in a park with vapour every where I think I would be reluctant to approach them, unless their was a stall that looked the part.

[padiho]

Mar 12, 2013 21:24:29 GMT markm said:

Yes but I was thinking of simply putting a slant on what people are already organising to help spread the word. Meeting one odd ball may tcause a gue interest that could be added to with a larger group getting together. There is also the possibility of media interest on a local level, they are less likely to have a vested interest in the anti movement.

Most smokers will have seen a disposable, how many are even aware mods or rebuilable atomizers even exist.

Good idea, how true your last statement also. The times I have sat outside of a cafe with other smokers drinking my coffee and the comments start flowing " what is that, ooh I haven't seen one like that before" I've seen the ones that look like a cigarette but not one that gives of smoke like yours " ...and so on . As well as non smokers we need to help educate the smokers of whats out there. Unless they find a forum like this they remain as I once was ....clueless

[MarkS]

Hi Markm from MarkS

I agree with you completely about distancing ourselves from those we really need to reach out too.
It's unfortunate that many of the British public look down upon protests and protestors in modern times even though nearly every right we have has come from one form of protest or another. People actually fought for these rights and yet many today are prepared to give them up without so much as a whimper.

Good idea about the vapor meet up's although as you know many are already arranged throughout the country. Many of these are in the evenings. So maybe some members could meet up a few hours earlier armed with leaflets informing the general public about the benefits of vaping over smoking and information regarding the EU's intentions. Can't see it hurting although not sure of the by laws of leafleting in public myself? We could have our e-cigs on hand to give demonstrations and such to those interested.

There is a meet up in Soho in a few weeks time, so it is food for thought.

[irishcas]

Mar 12, 2013 21:16:14 GMT mybad said:

I think the non vapers are coming into contact with vapers on a daily basis more and more just in routine activity's , street, pub , park, etc. so I would think if their was any self interest they would seek it out anyway.

Disagree with you.
I never knew they existed until I got them and the only people I have encountered using them is myself and a handful of people who have gotten into it because of me. How can you seek out something you dont know exists.
Ohh and I do get out and about all the time.

I think this is a great idea.

[markm]

I, like many on this forum, have only been using them for a few weeks.
I remember having a very strange conversation with the shop assistant when I went to get my first disposable, neither of us new what to call them!
It didn't get any better as I picked up a few more over the netx few days, whilst I waited for my first upgrade to arrive in the post.
I realise now that part of wht held me back was the lack of a knowledgeable retailer that I could approach for advice in person.
It really was quite amazing that the third rate disposable manged to convince me that vaping was the future, well for me anyway.

Now after just over two months I burnt my firt stainless wick Ian's wound my first coil.
Each step has been. Leap of faith that hs rewarded me with huge improvements in flavour and hit, onwards and upwards.

[Bluefish]

I entirely agree with you mark, but where you said park, insert pub garden and we are good to go lol

[Jemima]

I was hoping world vapeing day would happen again this year but nothing seems to be in the pipeline or being worked on ... www.world-vaping-day.com/ and the website doesn't seem to of been updated for a while

A few people last year stood in a public places with lots of spare egos loaded up and ready to try and had quite a few intrested passers by, cards were then handed out to the intrested parties with forum URL's and trusted vendors listed on them if people wanted to know more or pass along to a friend.

[AnnaLaw]

Towards the end of last year a bricks and mortar vape shop opened in my area. Although every garage, corner shop and supermarket sells cigalikes, this shop has moved from a few customers a week to an almost consistent stream and although it sells one cigalike type, all the new vapers seem to choose various forms of egos.
So here, South of London, where you wouldn't think there'd be many vapers, it's becoming fairly common although most do buy cigalikes at garages and supermarkets. The oldest customer at the shop is 85!
Anyway, hoping to get a mini-meet at the local community centre, don't know if the local press could be invited to come along but could always ask.

[Moggy]

Mar 15, 2013 19:56:14 GMT AnnaLaw said:

Towards the end of last year a bricks and mortar vape shop opened in my area. Although every garage, corner shop and supermarket sells cigalikes, this shop has moved from a few customers a week to an almost consistent stream and although it sells one cigalike type, all the new vapers seem to choose various forms of egos.
So here, South of London, where you wouldn't think there'd be many vapers, it's becoming fairly common although most do buy cigalikes at garages and supermarkets. The oldest customer at the shop is 85!
Anyway, hoping to get a mini-meet at the local community centre, don't know if the local press could be invited to come along but could always ask.

Which shop and where Anna ? I work in the Southern London area and have been keeping an eye out for shops.

Mono

[Deleted]

From personal experience at the last LSE meet in the pub, I was approached by 3 different people asking what it was all about. I handed out VE / C9V business cards kindly donated by Ratfinkz. Carrying these to distribute is good thing and will be taking some to the next meet. People don't react well to evangelists ... curiosity is the way we all work I think. It was interesting to meet smokers and hold an objective debate with them. One guy just wanted to know where to get the best stuff, another was rather bitter at being addicted to nicotine and wanted to downcry the whole vaping concept. There will always be open and closed minds but ramming stuff down peoples' throats can be counter-productive.

Relax and vape. They will come to us.

[Ratfinkz]

Couldn't agree more Ash and have been saving up all the cards I get for the next meet. With that said if any vendors feel like posting me a handful of theirs I will happily take them with me to pass out.

[AnnaLaw]

Mar 15, 2013 23:14:12 GMT Moggy said:

Mar 15, 2013 19:56:14 GMT AnnaLaw said:

Towards the end of last year a bricks and mortar vape shop opened in my area. Although every garage, corner shop and supermarket sells cigalikes, this shop has moved from a few customers a week to an almost consistent stream and although it sells one cigalike type, all the new vapers seem to choose various forms of egos.
So here, South of London, where you wouldn't think there'd be many vapers, it's becoming fairly common although most do buy cigalikes at garages and supermarkets. The oldest customer at the shop is 85!
Anyway, hoping to get a mini-meet at the local community centre, don't know if the local press could be invited to come along but could always ask.

Which shop and where Anna ? I work in the Southern London area and have been keeping an eye out for shops.

Mono

The shop is called Sweet Cloud and it's in Farnborough, Hants. There is a basic website www.sweetcloud.co.uk/ but you can't buy online.
One lovely thing is that you can sample just about every eliquid available and the number is growing, it's now one of the few shops that sells El Toro. I'd say it's about 30 miles south of Heathrow, so south of London, not South London.