Vapouround magazine Special Issue 02 | Page 70

F E AT U R E slightly similar to or in correlation with the idea which basically disputes and lays waste to the opposition’s argumentative points while simultaneously demanding our constitutional rights to say "No!" One unified front - people side by side, together, moving towards the same glory which all prior oppressed and victimized groups eventually experienced. We can do this! We quit smoking, that's one of the deadliest addictions on the planet and we beat it! So all we do is keep vaping, while moving toward the FDA Headquarters, shouting simultaneously in a non-violent, constitutionally protected right to make our voices not only heard, but UNDERSTOOD. We should abandon merely writing our lawmakers or posting social media alerts or calls-to-action, emailing news sources or having debates. We must move forward, raising the actual sound of our voices, allowing them to be heard, understood and seen by the general public as the ones who seek “the good.” We already know that actions speak louder than words, so why wouldn’t we take more direct action? Probably because everything is easier said than done. Though, what will happen when our beloved vape-realm is quote-unquote “done?” Thus, this is my reasoning behind why I suggest something must be done. We must also replace the general public’s apathy with empathy. In which that empathy MUST be for the vaping community. Hold our Ground, stay true to our stance on vaping, build a consolidated, coherent constituency, maintain our message and 68 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA raise our vapes up as high as high can get them, marching forward, remaining respectful yet determined, focused on unity and peaceful demonstration - this will all undoubtedly get everyone’s attention or at the very least, someone's attention. Otherwise vapers will be known as a weak group of amateur entrepreneurs who didn't fight for what they claimed to believe in, all they did was roll-over and die or sell-out to Big Tobacco, thus becoming slaves to a market that we were once freed from. Only one large comprehensive constituency unified by the same words and same attitudes of refusing to let Big Business takeover our livelihoods, our passions, and our dreams will be the difference maker we all seek. Think about it. Is this possible? As I noted previously, “We can do this!” However, we, in the vaping community, cannot become further victims to the power elites of our economic system’s wellplanned, strategic plot - we must unite all vapers as one giant tidal wave of sweeping societal change - change that improves our society’s conditions for the better. The best way to decipher where you stand on whether or not this is the only solution to save the vape industry is to ask yourself, “Can we put our petty differences aside between other vapers or advocacy groups within the vaping community and align the entire industry in unity?” Or, ask “Is it possible for the whole vaping community to come together, consumers, retailers and manufacturers, etc., to ultimately take direct action, together side-by-side? The sooner the better. I'm motivated by each & every vaper, you are all truly the essence of life-savers and absolute saviors. I believe in you…believe in yourselves, believe in us, believe that we could defeat the corrupt - it’s an vabsolute must! Regardless, if you feel the need to continue contacting your state’s legislators, then please do so, it might still be effective. I’m merely suggesting more involvement of true advocacy because "if there is a will there is a way!" We can change things! We have to. We just need to adopt a comprehensive strategy and unify ourselves as one giant oppressed group who will not stand for this marginalization. Or we could also locate a loop hole and just exploit it to the fullest. We can be a unified non-violent Army of VAPERS! We can sit back or fight back...we must choose wisely in our methods used to attack (non-violently of course)! It would indefinitely be beneficial to, at least spread the truth and every single little fact. Do you want to continue to purchase some of your favorite premium e-Juices or fall back to puffing on that cancerous tobacco pack?