Vaping Vs Smoking

Vaping is really what it sounds like; it is simply inhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or another vaping device. The difference between vaping and Smoking is that vaping devices are battery-powered, and they don't involve lighting a match to ignite them. That is what makes them have the famous term of E-Cigarette. 

The battery heats the coil that in turn heats the E-liquid, which contains flavorings, nicotine and base liquid. Aerosol is created as a result of vaping, and this is what is inhaled. You are probably an old vape favorite, and you are wondering what part of the whole vaping process aerosol is. Well! Don't scratch your head; aerosol is inhaled vapor. 

What is Smoking?

Smoking has been around for ages. Smoking is about inhaling and exhaling the smoke that comes from burning tobacco. Tobacco is the main ingredient in cigarettes, filled with many chemicals, including ammonia and formaldehyde. These chemicals serve as preservatives for the cigarettes and also promote a more robust release of the nicotine. 

Smoking harms almost all the organs in the body, seriously affecting the heart and lungs. Nicotine associated with cigarettes is very addictive, and this is the main reason that millions continue to smoke even though they do know that cigarettes pose serious health risks.

Health Impacts of Smoking

According to WHO statistics, Smoking is one of the biggest killers in the world, with most of its effects being severe. It is the number one reason for lung cancer, contributing to 85% of lung cancer cases globally. 

Cigarette smokers suffer irreversible damage to their respiratory system that results in emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and COPD. The toxins from Smoking are a significant factor in heart disease as they increase the cases of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes by damaging the vessels.

The intake of cigarette smoke is equal to inhaling several thousand toxic substances, among which are well-known carcinogens such as tar, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. These chemical compounds displace oxygen and decrease the supply of oxygen to all body tissues. These chemical compounds cause a wide range of cell damage and create new malignancies in the mouth, throat, bladder, and kidneys.

The footprint of Smoking on society and individual health is extensive. Besides the direct health impact, some people lose productivity because of the illness from Smoking. 

Huge healthcare costs are incurred in treating diseases caused by Smoking. 

Addiction to nicotine found in cigarettes makes quitting smoking difficult. Vaping can offer a safer option for smokers to take in their journey to safer alternatives and to reduce their health risks gradually.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

You have probably come across articles or blogs that are against vaping and some that strongly suggest that vaping is a safer alternative to Smoking, and now you are kind of confused. Well to be honest, nobody is so sure about that, but research so far suggests that vaping is safer than smoking.

 More research about this is ongoing to explore in depth the long-term health implications of vaping. Vaping, unlike cigarettes, does not involve combustion, and therefore, there is reduced exposure to harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide and tar, but there are concerns about addiction and respiratory issues.

Health Impacts of Vaping

• E-liquids often contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. You may argue that you can opt for the nicotine-free options, but still, even that can lead to dependence.
• Vaping is not entirely risk-free, even though it is considered safer than Smoking. Some flavoring agents and chemicals present in E-liquids could potentially cause respiratory issues.
• Nicotine present in E-liquids can potentially cause increased heart rate and blood pressure. However, vaping products dodoes not contain harmful combustion chemicals present in cigarettes.

Vaping Benefits:

Various studies show that vaping helps reduce in a great way exposure to chemicals such as carbon monoxide and tar that are very harmful to health.

• Since Vaping does not involve burning tobacco as it is with traditional cigarettes, the dangerous chemicals in the tobacco are not released. Vaping instead involves heating an e-liquid to produce vapor. The vapor contains far fewer toxic substances as compared to cigarette smoke.
• The long-term health impacts of vaping are still under study, but current studies so far have shown that vaping is by far less harmful as compared to Smoking.
• Vaping allows users to have control over their nicotine intake, an option that is not available in cigarettes. 
• E-liquids come in a wide variety of flavors, allowing users to customize their vaping experience. Vape lovers can conveniently choose the type of diluentte (PG, VG, and AG) for their preferred taste and texture.

Mental Health Impacts

The mental health impacts of vaping vs. Smoking present another important comparison. Mental health is such an important aspect that shouldn't be ignored. Numerous studies have associated in a large way traditional cigarettes with depression, anxiety and stress levels due to nicotine dependency. Some individuals smoke to relieve withdrawal symptoms caused by nicotine addiction; this leads to temporary relief, but eventually, mental health issues are exacerbated.

Vaping also has its own mental health challenges. Some vape users have reported improvements in their mood after switching to vaping. However, nicotine is present in vapes, too, even though not in high amounts as in cigarettes. Therefore, the effects of nicotine addiction, which include heightened anxiety and irritability, are still evident in vaping. In addition, young users may start vaping due to peer pressure, resulting in dependency and mental health issues.

You are probably asking yourself what makes vaping a popular choice for many. Well, we know it is a better alternative to Smoking, but is that all? 

The simple answer to this question is this: Versatility.

E-cigarettes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors. Each type of vape has a unique quality, making it the vape of choice. Cig-a-likes closely resemble traditional cigarettes. This is the reason why they are a familiar option for those transitioning from Smoking to vaping. 

Vape pens, on the other hand, as the name suggests, are pen-shaped devices. They offer more control over nicotine strength and flavor selection. Just as you control the decision on which pen you want to use based on the depth of color you need on paper, it is just the same way with a vape pen; the key advantage is that you have control. Isn't that what everyone craves for? Control?

 Advanced mods are a popular choice for experienced vapers. After testing all flavors and options, you want something that offers more. Mods provide vapers with customized features such as wattage control and coil selection.

E-liquids offer a whole new world of numerous flavors. The flavor ranges all the way from tobacco and menthol to dessert-like and fruity blends. This option is perfect for users looking for varying nicotine strengths. 

The cost of vaping and that of Smoking varies depending on individual patterns and preferences. The cost of a single cigarette is not that expensive but one is never enough. Depending on smoking habits, one can smoke several pieces in a day, leading to the cost of Smoking reaching thousands of shillings annually. 

Vaping, on the other hand, has a high initial cost as the devices can be a bit expensive. The advantage that vapes have is that one refill can take you for several days before refilling again. For moderate users, the total vape cost can be significantly lower as compared to Smoking. However, specialized flavors, premium devices, or frequent vaping may cause increased costs. It all depends on your vaping habits and budget.

Final Thoughts

Vaping has been proven so far to be a healthier choice as compared to Smoking. Vaping products contain fewer chemicals as compared to cigarettes. However, even though vaping presents fewer immediate dangers as compared to Smoking, it is not without potential health issues. For cigarette smokers seeking to quit Smoking and start vaping, understanding fully what happens when you quit smoking and start vaping is key to making an informed decision.