E-cigarettes were introduced as an aid to stop smoking and as a substitute for it.
Who imagined that they would spawn games, conventions and YouTube videos? If we start to dip our toes into the subculture, vaping is described as chasing clouds of vapor created by vape pens that can be altered in intensity by types, flavors, and devices. Vaping—inhaling vapor from e-cigarettes, which produce no smoke, only vapor—has developed a negative reputation.
This has happened as vaping has gained in popularity; the phenomenon has swept across Canada. These e- smokers have changed the way the public views vaping. Scott Jacklyn, general manager of Flavors crafts shop here in London believes e-cigarettes culture is very present in everyday life.
“Oh for sure their is a culture associated with vaping. I don’t see it my store as much as I see it all over social media like instagram and youtube. The younger generation call themselves “cloud chasers” and even compete in competitions called “cloud chasing”. You would never see that with traditional smoking”
Many vapers describe vaping as a change in lifestyle choice – a healthier alternative to smoking but a gateway into an entirely new social sphere.Vape shops and vape lounges have appeared across the country. There are extensive and involved conversations on online forums about cartridges, wicks, atomizers, cartomizers, coils, mods and flavors. Vape culture is similar to other popular cultures arising from shared interests. Car shows, comic-cons, sports fantasy leagues and art shows are all similar gatherings of of people with shared interests, and each develops its own jargon and traditions.
Arron Smith, A former smoker and current vaper doesn’t think its peoples view on vape culture that gives them a negative opinion on the e-cig.
” I dont think its necessarily the culture that carries the negative attitude towards vaping but rather the risks that the older generation fear. Vape juice contains flavors that might attract kids to try it. I mean kids will get into anything they desire wiether it be alcohol, weed or smoking.”
Although the body of evidence is not as large as we would like, The New England Journal of Medicine has supported the claim of vaping a viable alternative to smoking as estimates it to be at least 95% healthier. The consensus opinion seems to be that vaping is safer than smoking, and if someone goes from smoking two packs of cigarettes a day to vaping, the health risks will be reduced. However, when non-smokers start vaping, they accept risks that are as worrisome as those coming from smoking cigarettes.
Vaping became a sub-culture through shared interests, and social support and interaction. Its foundations are founded on the intention to positively change one’s lifestyle; to quit smoking and become healthier. For some, becoming a cloud chaser is all part of the process.
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