In recent years, vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking cigarettes. While there are many opinions on the matter, understanding the facts about both activities can help you make an informed decision.
Below, we explore what vaping and smoking entail and compare their effects on health so that you can decide for yourself which option is better. We look at both short-term and long-term risks associated with each activity, as well as any potential benefits of vaping over smoking. Read on to discover some of the facts about vaping vs. smoking.
Is Vaping Less Harmful Than Smoking?
Data from several studies support the idea that vaping may be less harmful than smoking. One expert evidence review published by Public Health England in 2015 found that e-cigarettes were around 95% less harmful to human health than smoking tobacco.
Additionally, a recent overview of e-cigarette impact on health published in the Respiratory Research Journal in 2021 found that the results of the toxicological analysis suggest that e-cigarette consumption is less toxic than conventional cigarettes.
Vaping vs. Smoking
Vaping and smoking are similar in some ways and different in many others. Explore their similarities and differences below.
Similarities
- Nicotine: Both vaping and smoking contain nicotine, a stimulant and chief active constituent of tobacco.
- Inhalation: Both vaping and smoking involve inhaling a vaporised or smoke form of a substance into your lungs.
- Action: The activities of vaping and smoking both involve a hand-to-mouth action.
Differences:
- Nicotine Form: The natural form of nicotine found in tobacco is how it presents in cigarettes, but in e-cigarettes, the nicotine included in e-liquid is often made in a laboratory and added later.
- Substance: Traditional cigarettes use tobacco leaves that are burned and transformed into smoke, while e-cigarettes vaporise a nicotine-containing liquid solution.
- Additives: Tobacco cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals, at least 70 of which are known carcinogens, whereas e-cigarette vapour has far fewer chemicals than cigarette smoke.
- Smell/Taste: Cigarette smoke often leaves an unpleasant odour lingering on clothes and furniture for hours or even days.
- Cost: The long-term cost of vaping can be significantly lower than that of cigarette use, given the lower price of e-liquids and refilling tanks rather than buying packs of cigarettes.
- Control: While you’re often limited in nicotine yield when using traditional cigarettes, vaping offers you more flexibility and control over your nicotine level.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Smoking?
According to a 2015 published study by the Institute of Medicine, the long-term effects of smoking can include a host of chronic illnesses, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Cigarettes are also linked to a higher risk of developing certain types of cataracts, type 2 diabetes, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and decreased bone density.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Vaping?
The long-term effects of vaping are still a subject of interest among medical researchers, but it is thought that they are likely to be less severe than those associated with cigarettes because vape products contain fewer chemicals and toxins. However, certain risks exist since nicotine is a highly addictive substance and e-liquid still includes chemicals.
In conclusion, while more research is needed to completely understand both the short- and long-term effects of using vapes compared to smoking, the above evidence appears to support the idea that vaping may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Can Vaping Help You To Quit Smoking?
The New England Medical Journal has published a review that suggests vaping can help people quit smoking. The study found that compared to other quitting methods, including nicotine replacement therapy, e-cigarettes may be more effective in helping smokers kick the habit for good when accompanied by behavioural support. Another study published in the Harm Reduction Journal in 2021 found that people who choose e-cigarettes in the context of smoking cessation treatment show similar or higher rates of cigarette smoking cessation compared to other aids or no aids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get greater clarity about the differences between vapes and cigarettes with these FAQs.
Is It Better for You to Vape or Smoke?
The answer to this question depends on the individual. Vaping may be less harmful than cigarettes, but it still carries certain risks and is not entirely safe. Speaking with your doctor before making significant lifestyle changes involving nicotine or other substances is essential.
Do E-Cigarettes Have the Same Effects as Cigarettes?
E-cigarettes and cigarettes both contain nicotine, but their effects on your body differ. While cigarette smoke contains thousands of toxins, e-cigarette vapour has fewer chemicals and is associated with substantially reduced levels of carcinogens relative to using cigarettes.
Want to Try Smoking a Disposable Vape?
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether vaping or smoking is the right choice for you. By reviewing the evidence and weighing all available information on your own, you can make an informed decision that is best for both your short-term and long-term health. If you choose to vape and are interested in using a disposable vape, you can shop directly from WAKA Vape. Browse our wide selection of products and find your next disposable vape.