Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?

Any vaper can tell you the benefits of vaping over smoking, but for those yet to make the transition, uncertainties can be holding you back. We take a look at some of the research into vaping and whether using a vape presents a safer option than smoking.

Why Are Cigarettes Bad?

All of us have heard the risks of smoking, but to understand why vaping is a better option, we must explain why cigarettes are so bad. When burnt, cigarettes release tobacco smoke, which releases around 6,000 different chemicals. Of these chemicals, around 250 are harmful to both smokers and passive smokers. Around 70 of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke are carcinogenic - meaning they can cause cancer. Some of the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke include ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. In May 2020, it was announced by the World Health Organisation that tobacco kills up to half of the people who use it, amounting to 8 million people dying from smoking-related diseases each year. Smoking is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the UK. Smoking affects your heart, lungs and circulation. Cancer Research states that seven out of ten lung cancer cases in the UK are caused by smoking.  

How Is Vaping Better For You?

While vaping is still being researched as a form of nicotine replacement, the studies that have been published so far are all promising and do not show any cause for concern.

Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK funded a 2017 research study which concluded that former smokers who now only vaped had a 97% reduction in levels of a cancer-causing toxic chemical, compared to those who smoke. This means that vapers can continue to experience nicotine products and the similar action to smoking through the use of a vape device without taking in harmful, cancer-causing chemicals. It also shows that the body can heal itself from the damage done by smoking cigarettes, even when switching to a vape device.

Public Health England

A 2015 report from Public Health England revealed that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than tobacco. This conclusion was drawn due to the fact that E-Liquid contains 95% lower levels of “cancer-associated chemicals”. One of the independent reviewers in the study, Professor Peter Hajek, concluded that: “My reading of the evidence is that smokers who switch to vaping remove almost all the risks smoking poses to their health. Smokers differ in their needs, and I would advise them not to give up on e-cigarettes if they do not like the first one they try. It may take some experimentation with different products and e-liquids to find the right one.”

What Do Vapers Say?

The Public Health England report also asked current vapers what they thought about vaping in relation to smoking tobacco. 89% of the people surveyed who use a vape to help them quit smoking believe that the vape is less harmful than the cigarette.

Is Vaping Safe?

In the news, mentions of vaping are often focused on the negative, causing misconceptions and fear about the safety of vaping. You may have heard horror stories about “popcorn lung” or deaths linked to vaping. While the handful of deaths are tragic, these rare occurrences have taken place in countries where vaping is far less regulated and unsafe products have been created by unofficial vendors. As of January 2020, the CDC has confirmed 60 deaths from lung injury associated with vaping. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at John Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, states: “These cases appear to predominantly affect people who modify their vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. This is especially true for vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).” In the UK, the vaping industry is highly regulated, and each product that is sold must follow strict rules to ensure that it is suitable for vapers to use. These tragedies highlight the importance of purchasing your vape devices, pods and juices from a trusted retailer, such as nzo Vape.

Popcorn Lung

As for popcorn lung, there is no solid evidence or confirmed cases of popcorn lung being caused by vaping. Popcorn lung is a lung disease that is linked to breathing in a chemical called diacetyl. The link between vaping and popcorn lung comes from one US study in 2016, which found some US E-Liquids at the time contained diacetyl. In the UK, diacetyl is banned as an ingredient in E-Liquids under the EU Tobacco Products Directive, so even if this ingredient did cause popcorn lung, it isn’t present in any of the E-Liquids sold in the UK!  

How Can Vaping Help You Quit Smoking?

Research has also revealed that vaping can help you to quit smoking. Public Health England report that 52% of current vapers have fully stopped smoking, with a further 1 million people who have given up vaping too after quitting smoking!

Can You Quit Without Vaping?

While it is possible to quit cold turkey, research has shown this isn’t the most effective approach. Only 5% of people who go cold turkey are successful in their stop smoking attempt after 6 months. Although other forms of nicotine replacement like patches and gum exist, vaping has been found to be three times more effective as a form of quitting than these alternatives.

What Benefits Does Vaping Offer Over Smoking?

Aside from the health benefits, there are several other aspects that make vaping a better choice than smoking.

Price

Cigarettes are expensive, and the price regularly increases. Vaping is comparatively much cheaper. The NHS estimates that the average smoker can save up to £3000 a year by switching to vaping.

Strength

Vaping allows you to have control over the strength of nicotine you intake. E-Liquid bottles are available in strengths ranging from 0mg to 20mg of nicotine in the UK. As you stop smoking and get used to vaping, you can begin to gradually lower your nicotine intake. You may even become nicotine free!

Flavour

One of the biggest differences between smoking and vaping is the availability of flavour. There are thousands of different flavours of E-Liquid available, allowing you greater choice in the experience you have. If you now have a better understanding of vaping and are ready to give it a go as a way of stopping smoking, then please feel free to get in touch with our team, who will be happy to help! Take a look at our nzo starter kit to find everything you need to get started with vaping.