It is an indisputable fact that smoking is harmful to health. Even cigarette packs warn of the risks of smoking.
Smoking is a dangerous habit that is difficult to quit, but there are ways to make it easier.
E-cigarettes are a reliable alternative to smoking. People who want to quit smoking often switch to e-cigarettes rather than quitting smoking completely. E-cigarettes can control the amount of nicotine entering the body and slowly reduce the amount of nicotine over time.
Here are some of the key differences between vaping and smoking, and why switching to e-cigarettes might be a better choice:
What is the difference between vaping and smoking?
Chemical
When you smoke, the nicotine content is usually fixed. The amount of nicotine you take in depends on how much you smoke.
When using e-cigarettes, the nicotine content will be listed on the packaging of the e-liquid you choose to buy, and you can change your nicotine intake by choosing a different kind of e-liquid.
Physical
Smoking is harmful to your health. Burning tobacco produces many toxins, such as tar, which can lead to a variety of smoking-related diseases and problems, such as:
- Lung cancer
- heart disease
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
Of course, vaping isn't completely risk-free, but according to Public Health England , vaping is much less harmful than smoking because you're exposed to fewer toxins. It's also important to realize that, as of now, e-cigarettes have not been FDA-approved. There isn't enough data to confirm the long-term effects of vaping, but that's because e-cigarettes are relatively new. However, officials at Public Health England say that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than smoking.
Mechanical
Every time you inhale from your e-cigarette, a sensor inside the pen triggers a vaporizer that heats the e-liquid. The liquid turns into vapor and is inhaled by the user.
Is vaping less harmful than smoking?
E-cigarette smoke does not contain the same chemicals as tobacco smoke.
Based on the available evidence, neither method is completely risk-free. However, based on a large number of studies, e-cigarettes are generally considered to be much less harmful.
According to research by the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom , e-cigarettes are 95% safer than smoking because they do not produce ash, tar, or require combustion.
Another reason e-cigarettes are more reliable is that you can control the amount of nicotine you inhale. You can choose a dose based on how much you smoke, or even buy e-liquids that contain no nicotine at all .
E-cigarettes also do not produce harmful odors. Smoking is not allowed in all situations, and smoking in the presence of others is considered rude because of the smell. Using e-cigarettes can help you avoid the strong smell of cigarettes.
What happens to your body when you stop smoking and start vaping?
Neither smoking nor vaping is good for you, and quitting smoking can bring you a lot of health benefits. However, according to research from the British Stroke Association, switching from smoking to vaping is still better for your overall health for the following reasons:
- Reduces Stroke Risk: Smoking doubles your chances of dying after a stroke . Smoking also significantly increases your chances of having a stroke.
- Reduces lung cancer risk: Smoking is responsible for 84% of lung cancer deaths and 83% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deaths.
- Reduces oral cancer risk: Cigarette smoke can cause cancers of the lips, throat, vocal cords, esophagus, and tongue. Quitting smoking and switching to e-cigarettes can reduce your chances of developing these cancers.
- Reduces the risk of blood clots: Cigarette smoke affects blood circulation and even thickens the blood, which increases the risk of blood clots. After you quit smoking, your blood pressure will return to a healthy level.
- Reduce the risk of heart disease: If you are a smoker, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are serious problems. After quitting smoking, the risk of heart disease will be greatly reduced.
- Reduces the risk of stomach cancer and stomach ulcers: Smokers have a higher chance of developing stomach cancer or stomach ulcers.
Many people ask what happens after you quit smoking. After you quit smoking, your body needs to cleanse itself of all the toxins.
After this procedure, you may experience the following symptoms:
cough
Depending on how much you smoke, you may already be experiencing a cough.
When you cough, your body is clearing out the toxins from the tar in cigarettes. Vaping doesn’t produce tar, but it may make your cough worse for a while because your lungs get irritated while you’re getting rid of all the toxins in your body.
Headache, shaking, and irritability
Nicotine withdrawal is a common cause of headaches, tremors, and irritability. Many people notice increased anxiety levels and worse moods after quitting.
The good news is that this won't last forever. Vaping can help combat irritability because you're still getting nicotine from the e-liquid. The best way to quit is to slowly reduce your nicotine intake.
Dizziness
Smoking restricts blood flow to the body, which prevents the brain from getting enough oxygen. E-cigarettes do not have this effect, so when you switch to e-cigarettes, you may start to feel dizzy.
You may only feel dizzy for a few days after switching to e-cigarettes. If the dizziness persists for a few days, buy e-liquid with a lower nicotine content.
The social benefits of switching from smoking to e-cigarettes
What is the difference between vaping and smoking? In addition to the numerous health benefits of quitting smoking and starting vaping, there are also many lifestyle benefits:
To your friends and family, smoking may seem like a bad habit they don't want to get involved in. Secondhand smoke also poses health risks to those around you.
When you quit smoking, you and those around you will no longer have to put up with the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. You’ll also find that any lingering odors or tobacco smells will dissipate, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
The difference between these two habits is something you can’t ignore, and the switch is definitely worth it.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between smoking and vaping is vital, especially if you are considering quitting smoking and choosing e-cigarettes as an alternative. There are many chemical, physical, and mechanical differences between smoking and vaping, but more and more authorities believe that e-cigarettes are the less harmful option of the two.
E-cigarettes are one of the easiest ways to quit smoking because they allow you to gradually reduce your nicotine intake. Although switching to e-cigarettes can have some side effects, it's worth it considering the health risks of smoking.
It won’t be an easy journey, but it will be one of the most satisfying lifestyle changes you ever make.