Is Vaping Better Than Smoking? Here's What Science Says

Thinking about switching from cigarettes to vaping? Or maybe you're just curious about how these two compare? Let's look at what the latest research tells us about vaping and smoking.

What happens when you smoke vs vape?

When you smoke a cigarette, you burn tobacco. This creates over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful. In contrast, vaping heats a liquid (e-liquid) to create vapour without burning tobacco. This means no tar or carbon monoxide – two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke.

Many people are switching to disposable vapes as they're convenient for beginners and require no maintenance. These ready-to-use devices come pre-filled with e-liquid and are discarded once empty.

How vaping works

A vape (or e-cigarette) is a small device that heats liquid into vapour. This liquid typically contains:

• Propylene glycol

• Vegetable glycerine

• Flavourings

• Usually nicotine (though nicotine-free options exist)

It's important to maintain your device properly, as a leaking vape can be dangerous and may expose you to concentrated e-liquid or battery issues.

Main differences between vaping and smoking

Is vaping less harmful than smoking?

Current evidence shows vaping is "substantially less harmful than smoking" according to a major review by King's College London. While not risk-free, it poses "a small fraction of the health risks of smoking in the short to medium term."

As Dr Michael Blaha from Johns Hopkins Medicine explains: "People need to understand that e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health. Emerging data suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma, as well as associations between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking with cardiovascular disease."

So while vaping appears safer than smoking, it's not completely safe.

Benefits of switching from smoking to vaping

If you currently smoke, switching completely to vaping might:

• Reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals

• Lower your risk of smoking-related diseases

• Help you quit smoking altogether

• Improve your sense of taste and smell

• Reduce the smell on clothes and in your home

As Dr Jeanelle DeGruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, puts it: "If the choice is between smoking and vaping, choose vaping. If the choice is between vaping and fresh air, choose fresh air."

Can vaping help you quit smoking?

Research shows daily e-cigarette use can increase your chances of quitting smoking by up to eight times. In one study, 28% of smokers who used e-cigarettes daily had completely stopped smoking tobacco by the end of the study.

The results speak for themselves: in the UK, vaping has helped achieve record-low smoking rates of 12.9% in 2022.

Tips for quitting smoking with vaping:

1. Use your vape regularly rather than occasionally

2. Choose the right nicotine strength to manage cravings

3. Find flavours that work for you

4. Aim to eventually quit vaping too

5. Seek support from quit smoking services

What about young people and non-smokers?

If you don't smoke, you shouldn't start vaping. The risks outweigh any benefits for non-smokers.

The American Heart Association clearly recommends: "People who do not currently smoke or use tobacco products should not use e-cigarettes." This is especially important for young people, as nicotine can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.

Pregnant women are also advised not to vape, as nicotine in any form can harm the developing baby.

The bottom line

Here's what you need to remember:

• Vaping is less harmful than smoking but not harmless

• For current smokers, switching completely to vaping will likely reduce health risks

• If you don't smoke, don't start vaping

• The safest option is to use neither cigarettes nor vapes

The evidence shows that a growing number of ex-smokers are using vaping to successfully quit – in England alone, about 2.2 million former smokers now vape instead. However, the goal should be to eventually quit both smoking and vaping for the best health outcomes.

If you're thinking about quitting smoking, talk to your doctor or local stop smoking service to find the best approach for you. They can help you decide if vaping might be a useful stepping stone on your journey to being smoke-free.

Remember: switching completely is key – continuing to smoke even a little while vaping won't give you the health benefits of quitting entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vaping safer than smoking?

Yes, research shows vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, though not completely risk-free. It produces no tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in cigarette smoke.

Can vaping help me quit smoking?

Research shows daily vaping can increase your chances of quitting smoking by up to eight times. Many former smokers successfully use vaping as a step towards becoming smoke-free.

Should non-smokers start vaping?

No. The American Heart Association recommends that people who don't smoke should not use e-cigarettes. The risks outweigh any benefits for non-smokers.

Is nicotine the most harmful part of smoking?

No. While nicotine is addictive, it's not the main cause of smoking-related diseases. The thousands of chemicals produced when burning tobacco cause most of the harm.