Every 7 people out of 10 say that they want to quit smoking. Though that is one of the best things you can do for your health, quitting is a hard journey. To cope with this, many turn towards smoking alternatives such as vaping. This article explains how far vaping is different from smoking, focusing on its mechanisms, health impacts, societal perceptions, and regulatory frameworks. Let’s dive in:
What is Vaping and How Does it Differ from Smoking?
Vaping refers to inhaling the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device, which heats a liquid containing nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals. Unlike smoking, vaping does not involve combustion, or the burning of tobacco, which is a key difference. Smoking releases nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that creates dependence and makes quitting difficult. The burning tobacco generates smoke filled with tar and carbon monoxide, harmful substances damaging the body. Traditional cigarettes are associated with various health issues, including bronchitis, several heart diseases, emphysema, infertility, stroke and even weakened immune systems. Apart from the person who smokes, it affects the people nearby too. Secondhand smoke has more than 7000 chemicals, out of which 70 cause cancer. In contrast, vaping delivers nicotine by heating a liquid in a less harmful process that avoids producing many of the toxic substances and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.
Health Impacts
Both smoking and vaping involve nicotine, which is addictive. However, Dr Debbie Robson, a Senior Lecturer in Tobacco Harm Reduction King’s IoPPN states that the level of exposure to harmful cancer-causing chemicals in vaping is significantly lower compared to smoking. While cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic, vaping presents fewer toxins and at lower levels, though it is not without risks.
Potential Reduction in Harm: Vaping vs. Smoking
Reduced Toxic Exposure:
Vaping does not involve combustion, which means it does not produce tar or carbon monoxide—two major harmful byproducts of smoking tobacco. This reduces your exposure to carcinogens and other toxic substances typically found in cigarette smoke.
Adjustable Nicotine Levels:
E-cigarettes allow you to choose from various nicotine strengths. This flexibility can help you as a smoker to gradually reduce your nicotine dependence by reducing your nicotine intake over time, potentially helping you ease the quitting process.
Less Harmful to Others:
Vaping produces less secondhand smoke compared to traditional cigarettes. As mentioned above, the aerosol from e-cigarettes contains fewer chemicals compared to the secondhand smoke from combustible tobacco products, posing a lower risk to bystanders.
Plus, vaping generally leaves less odour and residue compared to traditional smoking. This can reduce the lingering smell on clothes, furniture, and indoor environments, making it a preferable option for both users and those around them.
Variety of Flavours:
E-cigars come in a wide range of flavours, making them more appealing to some smokers looking to quit. These flavours can also help distance former smokers from the taste of tobacco, potentially reducing cravings.
Vaping as an Alternative to Smoking
Smoking is known to be one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Australia. Some evidence suggests that vaping helps some smokers quit. According to AIHW, the percentage of Australians aged 14 and above who regularly smoke has significantly reduced from 24% to 8.3%, almost by 3 folds between 1991 and 2022–2023 with the introduction of e-cigarettes.
Using vaping as a method to help quit smoking is increasingly popular due to several factors. With vaping, you can control your nicotine intake more precisely than smoking cigarettes. This can help manage withdrawal symptoms more effectively during the quitting process rather than going cold turkey. Moreover, for many smokers, the act of smoking involves physical acts—like the hand-to-mouth motion—which can be hard to break. Vaping mimics these actions, which can help satisfy behavioural dependencies and make the transition away from smoking easier.
One important thing to consider here is that when you use vaping as part of a quit plan under medical supervision or through smoking cessation programs, it can increase the chances of success. Healthcare providers or local Stop Smoking Services like us can help with your unique needs, helping to use vaping effectively as a cessation tool.
It’s worth noting that while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not without risks and should ideally be a step towards quitting nicotine use entirely. However, it’s not recommended for developing brains. Kids, teens and pregnant mothers are advised to stay away from vaping. Thus, if you’re considering using vaping to quit smoking, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure this approach is suitable for your specific health situation.
The Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between vaping and smoking is vital for making informed health decisions. While vaping might offer a safer alternative to traditional smoking in terms of reducing exposure to carcinogenic smoke, it carries its uncertainties. Individuals need to weigh these factors and ideally seek professional medical advice when considering vaping as an alternative to smoking or as a means to quit smoking.
