London Vaping Flash Mob

[philmepowers]

How about outside 10 Downing st......lol

[jessica]

On the London vaping flashmob thread on UKV Smokium posted earlier to say that he has publicised the flashmob on various places in Facebook.

It's therefore probably better to stick with the BMA, because I don't know where it has been posted.

At least there is something to protest about with the BMA (even if they are closed, lol!) and it's very well connected for transport - Euston, Kings Cross, Russell Square etc.

[jessica]

It's now on the London and South East Vape Meets Facebook page

[Phoenixflame (Julie)]

jessica that link doesn't seem to . Hopefully this one will. www.facebook.com/LondonAndSouthEastVapingMeets

[mart166]

Sorry jessica count us out, got family health problems here so life little on hold


MP

[jessica]

I'm very sorry to hear that mart166. I hope the health problems get sorted out very soon. Take care.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2015 1:16:33 GMT jessica said:

Yes Greg I agree with you too. Subjecting passers by to clouds of vaper is not going to help vaping at all. But - if you take out the "make cloud or two" bit then is it such a bad idea for vapers to get together to protest at the impending legislation?

Jessica, I don't do facebook but can you link or tell me more about the coming legislation, I thought the UK government had been pretty quiet thus far. Ie what's the protest against, something that might happen or has? 

[Deleted]

Jan 3, 2015 14:05:35 GMT jessica said:

Jan 3, 2015 1:11:35 GMT philmepowers said:

I think it's a good idea Jessica but the 11th is a sunday and the bma will be closed and Tavistock square is pretty quite on a sunday ......I was at the bbc last year and we wasn't clouding it up but we were there vaping and some people were intrigued as what was going on.........if it still goes a head count me in

We could have it outside the BBC again this time, if that would make more sense. 

I don't think it would make sense , they aired "trust me a doctor" last year which I think was very positive. Why Are they a target? 

Im very undecided at the moment until I see some facts on the governments stance, also think it should not be shoved into the public faces too much, they have been told smoking (clouds) kills for decades and it's been suppressed to the point where the smoking ban in reality needed no law to enforce. I certainly think you need to see others views to win any argument and going in all guns blazing with full demand typical gets you less and demands against what at the moment, The UK government is quiet?  

The other side is non smokers, the majority, if I wasn't addicted to nicotine and never smoked would I care for vapors, honestly no. It's not food or water so if you don't want to smoke then get some willpower and give up. Im Kinda in the keep quiet (like the enemy ..! ) let it grow camp at the moment and my opinion will possibly change. Everyone one person that starts vaping will tell their family and friends who care for their health, our "mob" will grow.   

Like I said in my first post, although tougue and cheek it is what feel, the word "mob" is not good for vaping and changing public opinion, well unless your the Italian Mafia but they use different methods....

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2015 9:48:19 GMT markm said:

Without the past efforts to defend vaping in the UK/EU it would already have been banned.
So it has already been demonstrated that vapers Can make a difference.
This year is make or break, worldwide, for vaping. Not the time to sit on your hands,
Or to think its pointless.
We do have lots of influential support, but without individuals speaking up, they are powerless
To help.

Influential support, who? 
what's your company listed under at companies house mate, is vaping shop, e cig or similar even listed? If so that's a Positive and certainly not a sign of suppression of a growing separate "industry" 

Banned/law/ enforced. Google massage parlour.......ha ha. My point being if we can buy all we can today then does it really matter to smokers who want to give up using vaping?

I know a ban might affect you and I hope it doesn't happen, we need more of you because tescos aren't selling anything worth while...! 

[Montana]

Jan 7, 2015 4:24:01 GMT @letsavit said:

Jan 2, 2015 9:48:19 GMT markm said:

Without the past efforts to defend vaping in the UK/EU it would already have been banned.
So it has already been demonstrated that vapers Can make a difference.
This year is make or break, worldwide, for vaping. Not the time to sit on your hands,
Or to think its pointless.
We do have lots of influential support, but without individuals speaking up, they are powerless
To help.

Influential support, who? 
what's your company listed under at companies house mate, is vaping shop, e cig or similar even listed? If so that's a Positive and certainly not a sign of suppression of a growing separate "industry" 

Banned/law/ enforced. Google massage parlour.......ha ha. My point being if we can buy all we can today then does it really matter to smokers who want to give up using vaping?

I know a ban might affect you and I hope it doesn't happen, we need more of you because tescos aren't selling anything worth while...! 

Just to name two , How about Robert West and Konstantinos Farsalinos.

This year IS a VERY important year for vaping , as next year the European directive is going through.Everyone across the European Union need to make their feelings heard as far as vaping is concerned , as we will lose it otherwise.If you don't think that will happen , look at what is happening in Holland in 3 weeks time.
We as vapers now , should be ok with getting the supplies we need to make sure we are ok.BUT , this is NOT what it's all about.It should be about the current smokers that want to change to vaping and thus growing our community , not seeing it dwindle into nothing because we were pushed around by lying , money grabbing people that have been bought by big Pharma, the scientific proof we have already shows us that , let alone longer studies which will cement our case.

This is the perfect time of year to get the word out as well, with all the New Year resolutions happening , this is the time of year where most smokers try and quit and manufacturers of all things vaping need to get together and tell their customers what's going to happen otherwise.
Over 70 Chinese manufacturers got together yesterday is discuss this and we in the EU should be doing the same.In the UK alone we are 2.1 million people strong and rapidly growing as even supermarket figures will tell you , let alone dedicated vaping shops , so we need every manufacturer , be it juice or hardware need themselves and the customers to keep lobbying.

As far as blowing clouds in a public place with no real purpose or agenda , in my eyes isn't the way forward , it just looks like bunch of people moaning they can't get their own way like a child having a temper tantrum.
IF we are going to have a rally , have a goal, like being able to talk to the health secretaries , in power and shadow , this is just my opinion of course , but I still think we need to look a LOT more professional from a general public and governmental point of view.



Andy

[jessica]

Thank you to everyone for making this such an unexpectedly interesting thread.

@letsavit The protest is against the TPD - which is both past and future - it was passed a year ago and is due to be implemented next year.

Here's a link to Clive Bates' Updated info post: TPD – provisions relating to e-cigarettes
Here's a link to a good article which explains the implications for vapers


With reference to the Vaping Flash Mob protest: It's misnamed. It won't be a mob. In practice it will be a cluster of vapers standing and vaping in various locations. There will be little, if any, impact on passers by. The event is very unlikely to attract inconsiderate cloud chasers - people who are motivated to attend will be very aware that forcing vapour on the general public would be very counterproductive. The London flash mob is on a wide and quiet pavement outside a building which will be closed - we won't be disturbing anyone.
The impact will come from social media - photos of the various gatherings will be tweeted with the location and the hastag #fmvape The organisers hope that this will attract media attention.

In terms of effective action - no it probably won't get the EU to wake up in the morning and realise that the TPD is a terrible idea, but it won't do any harm and it could do good in ways which can't be measured. There are of course other actions which are ongoing - vapers writing to their MP's and to newspapers, and posting comments on online news articles. The most effective action would probably be a consumer led court case brought against the TPD - sadly that's unlikely to happen.

[Montana]

Lets NOT forget what "Totally Wicked" are doing and how long this directive is going to be delayed and changed by the time it comes into force.I don't think for a minute that it is even going to be close to the ones you posted links to and the last update on the one by Clive Bates is nearly 8 months old.


Andy

[jessica]

Yes Montana, let's hope those links describe the worst case scenario, and let's hope that Totally Wicked win their case, but without a crystal ball none of us know what will happen. Those links describe the last known facts - all the rest is speculation.

[markm]

It would be very unwise to pin all hope on The TW court case.
Letters to MEPs has been the biggest game changer so far, it halted med regs in its tracks in Brussels.
Then there is the ecig conference, organised by the ECF forum, which turned many
In public health into supporters. The most notable being Louise Ross of Leicester SSS,
Who has been supporting ecigs throughout 2014. Spreading the good word with other
Stop Smoking Services here in the Uk.
Then there is the New Nicotene Aliance, a group of vapers mostly, who organise the Global Nicotene conference.
Gathering experts to discuss ecigs (and suns) who are slowly winning hearts and minds.
Then there is the All Party Group set up by a pro vaping MP and has the role of educating
Parliamentarians prior to discussion on legislation. Thanks to it being organised by a
Supportive MP we have vaping advocates to put our case.
Without these kind of activities vaping would have been closed down by the MHRA in 2009 with
28 days notice.
The MHRA are now beginning to make positive noises on the subject, even acknowledging that
Non medicinal personal vapourisers can have their benefits.
What makes the difference and what offers us hope is mass support, lots of people making their views known.
Not just a few key individuals or organisations.
Look back through the campaigning threads on this site, lots of links to the story so far.

Something recent joiners may not have heard of "smoke without fire" a documentary
Under production by Andy Sutton.
The best place to keep up to date is on Twitter, or if you don't go there then vapourtrails.tv
Covers much of the highlights of the struggle.

[jessica]

The Vaping Flash Mob has now been rescheduled to 25th January. This is because of the terrible event which happened in France today.