Where you can and cannot vape.

[Deleted]

Hi folks. Just had a very unfortunate incident today and would like to make you aware what happened. Took Mrs Striker shopping in our local shopping centre. While she was surveying the wares in the various shops I decided to go and have a shot of my trusted itaste which had my protank2 sitting proudly on top. Standing outside the main entrance, under an enclosure about 30 yards long which leads to the doors into the centre, I was in a vaping world of my own. The door opened and a security guard informed me that I was not allowed to smoke in that area, I made him aware that I was not smoking, I was indeed vaping. This answer was not to his liking so he than stepped through the door and gave me the "if you don't move, I'll f%$@£*g move you" I told him that might not be his best decision of the day. With that he grabbed me on the right shoulder and attempted to push my right hand up my back. With one blow he was lying on the ground, his left leg paralysed,screaming like a baby. I am not proud of what I did but, YOU DO NOT ASSAULT A FORMER WORLD KARATE CHAMPION FOR NO GOOD REASON AND EXPECT TO WALK AWAY. A few minutes later, after he managed to splutter a message over his radio the boys in blue appeared asked what happened. I gave my version, he gave his. Another two people claimed they saw the security guard grab me then he hit the deck but at no time did they see me lift my hands to the guard. The boys in blue ten asked me if I had been smoking and I said no I was vaping, producing my equipment from my pocket. The officer then asked "where do you light it" easy answer "you don't". After a short explanation of how it worked he then went off and used his radio out of earshot. On his return he asked if I had drugs in it, again that was an easy answer. He then said that had I moved when the guard asked me this situation could have been avoided, I replied  I had committed no offence and was of no concern or danger to anyone where I was vaping. He then asked me to move on and I asked why answer "coz we're telling you". To save any more grief I walked towards the door into the centre, said officer told me I was going the wrong way, I told him my wife was in the centre and I was going to meet her. "NO, YOU'RE GOING THE OTHER WAY". I was then escorted away from the centre offered a fixed penalty notice for public affray which I told tem to poke where the sun don't shine. I will now be reported to the procurator fiscal and awaiting a court date. And to top it all, they took my MVP and protank to test it for drugs. Sorry for the long winded explanation but I am pretty disgusted at the moment and fellow vapers need to be aware how things can get out of control. On the plus side Mrs Striker's cousin is a lawyer and an avid vaper, so I will be in good hands come my court appearance.

[mybad]

Its strange how a uniform can turn some people into total pricks , apart from that what a wonderful story, well done .

[Bluefish]

Awesome story Good luck in court

[Raffles]

striker42...not sure how to respond as I value my limbs being intact! Me... a coward... nah!

Vaping is still some way off being accepted, simply because people don't understand the difference. I still use 'smoking areas' in public because I can see how it appears to the general public, If we try and force it on them we'll get the opposite response to what we want. I'm just happy knowing that I'm protecting my health and saving money... but I don't expect others to see it in the same way... yet.

BTW... I wish I was there to witness the incident.

[doctorjellybean]

And there are vaping vendor kiosks inside shopping centers, e.g. V.I.P, where they vape for demonstrations!

[Bluefish]

I have a feeling the CPS may not proceed with this case, if they had any sense that is, not sure they do though.

[Deleted]

I thought shopping centres had vendors where you could try cigalikes, makes it an even more amazing happening. Good luck with your court case, striker42.

ETA: Was typing, but snap, same thought as docjellybean.

[markm]

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Get in touch with Dave Dorn on vapourtrails.tv this is the kind of thing he wants to know about
to broadcast to the community. I doubt it will go anywhere but I think it is a situation we all
have a stake in.

I hope it all resolves itself amicably and quickly.

[Deleted]

Sorry Jess, wasn't sure where to post this but thanks for moving the post to the appropriate place. Just to clear a small matter up Raffles, I was standing outside the door where the no smoking signs were posted, there are none on the walls of the enclosure or at the entrance to it, not splitting hairs on this, as yes it was still technically an enclosed public place but said idiot was not interested in an explanation as to why/how the equipment worked. Had he taken the time to find out then that would have been an opportunity to educate without as you say, forcing on people, what we do. And yes there are two outlets for e-cigs in the centre where the public can test them. This will also be a point in my defence. Excuse me for being a touch hacked off and a tad confused.com

[markm]

One question, did you continue to vape during the exchange?
Unlike smoking where to hold a lit ciggy means you are not complying
With the request, holding a PV is not the same thing as vaping.
The security guard and Police, having no understanding of this
Has resulted in them behaving inapropriatly in this instance.

[lobeydosser]

I wonder how many Asthma sufferers have been thrown out of that shopping centre for using an Inhaler.

Ofcourse if that had happened it would have been all over the Media.

Pity we don't have the same Clout. Yet.

[Raffles]

striker42... I wish you the best in the Court, against what appears to be a 'jobsworth' security guard who will, no doubt, think twice before trying his 'strong arm' tactics in what was a purely civil matter. My only point was that we can't expect the general public to accept us until they 'understand'.

I too, have come across private security guards who think they are 'James Bond' and above the law... just amused that this one came across someone he didn't expect. Will make a fascinating 'witness'... good luck!

[Deleted]

No Mark, when he stepped out I suspected by his demeanour that the situation was not good and I put the device in my jacket pocket. There is one thing for sure, I bet he's at home right now wishing he had never set eyes on me today and he won't get much sleep tonight either coz every time he moves his leg its gonna feel like he's been shot with a sniper.

[Bluefish]

Security types, like Gary Barlow, think they rule the world, note to self, don't argue with striker 42

[mybad]

Nov 16, 2013 20:29:56 GMT striker42 said:

No Mark, when he stepped out I suspected by his demeanour that the situation was not good and I put the device in my jacket pocket. There is one thing for sure, I bet he's at home right now wishing he had never set eyes on me today and he won't get much sleep tonight either coz every time he moves his leg its gonna feel like he's been shot with a sniper.

Next time he sees you he might just decide to hop it.