The debate about vaping vs smoking has been highly discussed in the last several years. Both methods of nicotine consumption have gained enormous attention recently. A tradition to smoke traditional cigarettes goes back hundreds of years. On the other hand, vaping is a totally new phenomenon that has gained wide popularity for about a decade now. All of these and other health implications, social impacts, and regulation environments around both practices have led many to wonder, is vaping better than smoking? Or is just another form of harm? In this article, we will delve deeper into the core differences between vaping and smoking by their health effects, convenience, cost, and societal acceptance.
1. What is Smoking?
Smoking burns tobacco. When a cigarette is lit, the tobacco inside it is set afire, and it smokes into the smoker’s lungs. Among these, thousands of chemicals within the smoke include nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, among other carcinogens. All these chemical agents have been scientifically related to various serious health conditions, such as lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and stroke.
Smoked cigarettes are designed to release a rapid supply of the very addictive drug nicotine. Smoking can become a habit that is difficult to get out of. The tar and chemicals in smoke contribute to many risks in terms of long-term health effects, and smoking cessation is notorious for being one of the most difficult to quit, as the level of nicotine addiction can be severe in many individuals.
2. What is Vaping?
Vaping, however, uses a device called an e-cigarette or wape pen, which is electronic and has a heating element. This heats a liquid which is referred to as e-liquid or vape juice. The liquid mainly consists of nicotine and flavorings, however, other chemicals are included. When the liquid is heated by the e-cigarette, this one turns into vapor which is then inhaled by the user. Vapor in this case is not like the smoke from cigarettes because it lacks the same harmful aspects characteristic of tobacco smoke that include tar or carbon monoxide amongst others.
However, it’s never 100% safe to vape. Thus, the long-term health effects of inhalation of vaporized chemicals, especially some of the additives and flavorings, are still under investigation. Vaping is still considered safer in most regards than smoking for the smoker.
3. Health Hazards
Health Risks of Smokers
Well-documented, known health risks exist. It is estimated that tobacco kills more than 8 million individuals yearly, including those who never smoked but are exposed to secondhand smoke, according to the World Health Organization. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable diseases and death worldwide. The following are the foremost risks from smoking:
Lung Cancer: Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, accounting for about 85% of cases.
The Heart Diseases: The smoking condition leads to heart attacks and strokes.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Among the victims with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis, smokers are ranked among them.
Premature Death: Smokers live ten years less than nonsmokers who live on average.
Vaping Health Risks
Although vaping is less dangerous than smoking, it poses its own risks. Vaping devices contain nicotine-a substance highly addictive and generally hazardous to the developing brain of adolescents and young adults. The aerosol generated by vaping also contains harmful chemicals, including:
Heavy Metals: Some e-cigarettes contain lead, nickel, and chromium metals, which may leach into the vapors and thus become a substance of toxicity when inhaled.
Diacetyl: This is a chemical used in flavorings of some electronic vaporizers and has been linked to lung diseases called “popcorn lung.”
Although research on vaping is still going on for its long-term effects, preliminary studies are showing that it would have far fewer risks in the lungs and for cancer. Vaping is also extolled as a tool for smoking cessation because it is perceived as having lesser harm in comparison to smoking; it will be able to curb the desire to smoke, especially in the case of nicotine craving.
4. Cigarette and Nicotine Delivery
Both smoking and vaping deliver nicotine, the addictive substance that keeps people coming back for more. However, the method of delivery differs considerably between the two.
Smoking: The nicotine contained in cigarettes enters the lungs, through which it reaches the brain within seconds. This rapid delivery contributes to the high addictive potential of smoking.
Vaping: In this system, nicotine in e-cigarettes is delivered in the form that’s delivered as a vapor. Onset is not as rapid with vaping as it would be with smoking; this is because the vapor is absorbed at a different rate. The amount of nicotine in any particular e-liquid can vary, meaning the user has much more control over the level of nicotine they are consuming.
Vaping may also serve as a way to help users wean off of nicotine because e-liquids may be offered in various strength levels or even no nicotine at all.
5. Cost: Which one will be cheaper?
Cost is another aspect where the vaping vs smoking debate plays out. The cost of each habit is very different, based on how much you do it and where you live.
Smoking: The cost of a pack a day of conventional cigarettes has risen sharply recent years, in part due to taxes imposed by many governments in an attempt to discourage cigarette smoking. Smoking a pack a day costs thousands of dollars in many countries.
Vaping: The start-up cost is rather high, but the long-term costs are much lower than those arising from smoking. E-liquids are relatively inexpensive, and most vape machines are rechargeable; no constant repurchase as with cigarettes.
The key advantage for those looking to save is that vaping is less expensive than smoking; however, true cost saving is only available by way of device type and usage frequency.
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6. Societal Perception and Legal Regulations
Smoking has gained a worldwide stigma due to the health risks associated with it and the effects of secondhand smoking. Governments have, therefore, issued public smoking bans, advert restrictions, among many other measures to curtail smoking. As a result, smokers are limited to where they can smoke, and their social acceptability has decreased.
Vaping, even though also controlled in some way, is socially tolerated, at least in places where smoking has been prohibited. But vaping does not lack controversy. Growing worries about youth vaping, and indeed the health risks associated with a lifetime of vaping, have led some governments to take control by controlling vaping products very much.
Conclusion
It basically comes to a personal preference and health choice. While smoking is infinitely worse, since tobacco burns, and creates thousands of poisons, vaping, although not risk-free, is much safer and has proven effective as a quit smoke tool for many smokers.
If you are planning to quit smoking, then vaping would be one remedy that reduces harm, but it is advised to stay updated on the risks provided. For non-smokers, the guidance would be both a bad habit not to indulge in as nicotine habits cause extreme damage to health.
Whether it’s smoking or vaping, the most important thing is to know the risks associated with it to make an informed decision.
