Vaping Vs Smoking – Which Is Safer?
Key Takeaways –
- While vaping and smoking are commonplace ways to ingest nicotine, their safety has been controversial.
- Numerous research indicates that vaping is safer than smoking and can help smokers kick the habit.
- Vaping is an excellent alternative to smoking, as it reduces the number of dangerous chemicals ingested and helps smokers gradually reduce their nicotine intake without experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms.
As vaping becomes increasingly popular, people everywhere ask themselves: is smoking or vaping the safer option?
Both smoking and vaping have inherent risks, yet it is also essential to comprehend the distinctions between old-fashioned smoking and e-cigarettes.
In this piece, we’ll examine the advantages and drawbacks of each activity to assist you in making an educated decision about your well-being.
We will analyze components such as the compounds used in either activity, their transitory and lasting effects on your body, and any other potential associated risks. By investigating these main points carefully, you can choose the best for your experience.
What Is Vaping?
Inhaling an aerosol composed of various substances, such as NICOTINE and flavoring, is the core principle behind vaping. This process takes place via e-cigarettes or other similar devices.
Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do NOT burn tobacco and therefore do not produce tar or carbon monoxide. Recently there has been a huge increase in teenagers and adults taking up vaping.
A study conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018 found that 3.02 million middle school and high school students were current e-cigarette users [1].
Vaping has been INCREASING for smoking cessation as it is considered a safer alternative with fewer long-term risks than traditional smoking.
What Is Smoking?
The burning of tobacco to consume its smoke is known as smoking, and it comes with SEVERE health risks due to the nicotine and thousands of toxic substances present in that smoke. Over time, these can lead to serious medical issues for those who partake in this activity.
According to the CDC, there were an estimated 37.4 million adult smokers in 2017 in the United States alone, and cigarette smoking is responsible for 480,000 deaths annually across the country [2].
Vaping Health Risks
Scientists are still studying the long-term effects of vaping, so there is LIMITED information on its potential risks.
However, some studies have suggested that vaping may be LESS dangerous than smoking cigarettes as it does not contain many harmful substances in traditional tobacco smoke.
In addition to this, many e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine (not all of them), meaning their use does NOT necessarily lead to addiction.
On the other hand, one study has recently found that compounds used in e-cigarettes could cause respiratory and cardiac issues [3].
Smoking Health Risks
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of CHEMICALS, at least 70 of which are linked to cancer. These substances are dangerous and can cause significant damage to the body in both the short term and long term.
Smokers are at an increased risk of developing numerous health conditions, such as:
- Heart Disease
- Lung Cancer
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Asthma
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
- Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is the SINGLE most preventable cause of death globally [4].
Quitting smoking can help REDUCE the risk of developing any of these conditions and improve overall health. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is one way smokers can transition away from smoking without suffering severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
A Look at Vaping Vs Smoking – Which Is Safer?
When comparing vaping vs smoking, it is important to note that e-cigarettes may be SAFER than traditional cigarettes in terms of the chemicals used and their potential health risks.
However, it is still important to understand that vaping comes with its own set of potential DANGEROUS compounds, so there are still risks associated with this activity.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start using e-cigarettes; only vape to QUIT smoking. Additionally, if you are a smoker and plan to switch to vaping, be sure to do so gradually by reducing the amount of nicotine in each vape session.
Ultimately, only you can make an INFORMED decision about the safest option for your health needs. If you have any concerns, it is advisable to speak with a healthcare professional before beginning either activity.
Pro Tip: There is plenty of help to stop smoking or vaping. Look for resources for nicotine addiction that can help you quit safely and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Nicotine Is In A Cigarette Compared To A E-cigarette?
Not all cigarettes are created equal, with nicotine levels ranging from 1-2mg per cigarette, depending on the brand. On the other hand, e-cigarettes can contain up to 20mg of nicotine per cartridge.
Are There Any Long-term Effects Of Vaping That We Don’t Know About Yet?
As researchers are still probing the enduring impacts of vaping, only a limited amount of data is available. It is important to keep in mind that the long-term effects of vaping are still unknown, so use caution when choosing to partake in this activity.
Are There Any Health Benefits Of Switching From Smoking To Vaping?
Absolutely! Swapping out smoking for vaping can be incredibly advantageous for your health, given that vapor does not contain tar or carbon monoxide like traditional cigarettes. It also doesn’t include some of the other hazardous toxins found in smoke from burning tobacco.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether you vape or smoke is a delicate choice that should be taken seriously. Both activities present their own set of risks and health perils; however, vaping appears to carry less harm than smoking does.
It’s essential to recall that both practices can be hazardous and must be approached with care.
Additionally, the differences in safety levels between vaporizing and smoking are especially noticeable regarding secondhand smoke, thus making attentive consideration even more necessary for any decision regarding either activity.
If you are looking for an alternative for both smoking and vaping, try edible cannabis products from high quality delivery services like Mission Organic.
Sources –
- Wang TW, Neff LJ, Park-Lee E, Ren C, Cullen KA, King BA. E-cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2020. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020;69(37):1310-1312. doi:https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6937e1
- Wang TW, Asman K, Gentzke AS, et al. Tobacco Product Use Among Adults — United States, 2017. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2018;67(44):1225-1232. doi:https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6744a2
- American Lung Association. Health Risks of E-Cigarettes and Vaping. Lung.org. Published 2018. Accessed February 24, 2023. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung#
- World. Tobacco EURO. Who.int. Published December 17, 2021. Accessed February 24, 2023. https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/tobacco#tab=tab_1