Vaping Vs. Smoking. Are Vapes Better Than Cigarettes?

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, and in New York State, smoking and secondhand smoke kills over 22,000 people each year. However, cigarettes are highly addictive, and quitting isn’t easy. So, when it comes to quitting smoking or trying to make a “healthier” switch, you might turn to vaping as the solution. But are vapes really better than cigarettes?

Vaping: The Modern Quit-Smoking Aid?

Vaping has become a popular tool for people trying to quit smoking, with many believing it's a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. The idea is simple: instead of inhaling harmful tobacco smoke, you’re inhaling vaporized liquid, often containing nicotine but minus the tar and many of the toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke. The customizable nicotine levels make it appealing for smokers looking to wean themselves off cigarettes.

However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that there are mixed findings from research on the use of vaping to quit smoking, with some suggesting success (for a minority) and others finding it doesn’t work. Vaping may also simply be added to a smoking habit as another support for a nicotine addiction.

But it’s important to remember that while vaping might be less harmful than smoking in some ways, “less harmful” doesn’t mean “harmless.” There’s much more to consider when weighing the pros and cons of vapes.

Vapes: Better in Some Ways, But Not a Free Pass

There’s no doubt that vaping has some clear advantages over smoking. For starters, vapes don’t produce tar, the sticky substance that builds up in smokers’ lungs and is responsible for many of the health issues associated with smoking. 

That said, vaping isn’t entirely without its downsides. One major concern is the nicotine content in e-liquids. Some vape liquids contain even higher levels of nicotine than traditional cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that affects the brain’s reward system, making it incredibly difficult to quit once you’re hooked.

The Risks of Vaping: Not Just Harmless Water Vapor

While vaping may sidestep some of the dangers of smoking, it’s important to remember that it’s not without risks. The CDC warns that the long-term health effects of vaping are still largely unknown. However, there’s already evidence that it can lead to lung injury and other health problems. In fact, the CDC has linked certain types of lung injuries, known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), directly to vaping.

Moreover, the chemicals in e-liquids aren’t as benign as you might think. Some contain substances like diacetyl, a flavoring chemical linked to a serious lung condition known as “popcorn lung.” Others might include heavy metals like lead or nickel, which can be harmful when inhaled.

Conclusion: Possibly a Safer Option, But Far From Safe

In the debate between vaping and smoking, vaping might come out on top in some areas—because of the diseases and deaths associated with the tar and chemicals in cigarettes. However, it’s crucial to remember that vaping can become an extra habit to smoking, is not without its own set of risks, and may have long-term effects that are not yet properly understood.

For information and support on vaping or smoking, contact LEAF at (607) 432-0090.

#TakeABreath #ThinkBeforeYouVape #VapeAwareness #Vaping #ChooseHealth #HealthierChoices #QuitSmoking #LungHealth #HealthyFamilies #WellnessTips

Sources

Broderick, SR, M.D. “What Does Vaping Do to Your Lungs,” John Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-does-vaping-do-to-your-lungs.

CDC (2024) “Health Effects of Vaping,” https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html.

Fajobi, O. Hunter, L. Peluso, C. (2023) BRFSS Brief: Cigarette Smoking, New York State Adults, 2021. No. 2023-05. Albany, NY: New York State Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention, Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research, June 2023.

NIDA “Vaping Devices (Electronic Cigarettes) DrugFacts,” https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes

All sources accessed August 14, 2024.