Is Vaping More Harmful Than Smoking Cigarettes?
Many people believe that vaping is safer than traditional smoking, but the long-term health effects of vaping are still not fully understood. While vaping doesn’t contain tobacco or produce tar, it still carries many of the same risks associated with smoking. This article delves into the health comparison between vaping and smoking to help you make a more informed decision.
Risk Comparison: Common Health Threats of Vaping and Smoking
While vaping and smoking share many similar health risks, there are differences in the severity and long-term effects of these risks. Here is a comparison of the major health impacts of both:
Respiratory Conditions
Both smoking and vaping irritate the airways and lungs, which can lead to several respiratory health issues, including:
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
It is well known that smoking increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. While the long-term effects of vaping are still uncertain, a 2020 study found that e-cigarette users have about a 40% higher chance of developing a respiratory condition compared to non-smokers or non-vapers Read more .
Additionally, some e-cigarette products may contain diacetyl, a chemical used to add a buttery flavor to certain vape juices. Diacetyl has been linked to the development of popcorn lung, a condition involving permanent scarring of the airways.
Heart Health
Smoking is linked to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and the overall deterioration of cardiovascular function. These factors, along with the thousands of harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, can increase the risk of heart disease. A 2020 report from the World Health Organization noted that 20% of coronary heart disease-related deaths are attributed to smoking Learn more .
The effects of vaping on heart health are still unclear, but studies have shown that vaping can lead to similar increases in blood pressure and heart rate Read more . A 2022 study comparing exercise stress test results found that people who vape performed worse than non-smokers, but slightly better than smokers Read the study .
Cancer Risk
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. According to the CDC, smokers are up to 30 times more likely to develop and die from lung cancer than non-smokers See more . Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, throat cancer, and breast cancer, among others.
E-cigarettes have not been around long enough for experts to fully understand the relationship between their use and cancer risk. However, many e-cigarette products contain some of the same carcinogens found in cigarettes, including:
- Formaldehyde
- Acetaldehyde
- Nitrosamines
E-cigarettes tend to contain lower levels of harmful chemicals. If you currently smoke, switching to vaping may reduce your exposure to these harmful substances and potentially lower your cancer risk Learn more . However, if you don’t currently smoke or vape, using e-cigarettes may increase your cancer risk.
The “Dual Use” Phenomenon: Switching Between Vaping and Smoking
Some people use e-cigarettes to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke, aiming to transition to a safer alternative. However, research on this so-called “dual use” is still limited. A 2022 review suggested that the combined use of smoking and vaping could be as harmful, if not more harmful, than smoking alone View the study .
Can Vaping Help Quit Smoking?
E-cigarettes were initially designed to help people quit smoking. While some experts generally consider vaping less harmful than smoking, it’s still unclear whether vaping can actually help people quit smoking.
A different 2022 review suggested that e-cigarettes may help people quit smoking, possibly more effectively than nicotine replacement therapy. However, the authors emphasized that more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool See the review .
The Bottom Line: Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?
While vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking, it still carries health risks, especially in the long term. Much remains to be learned about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
If you currently smoke and want to reduce your health risks, quitting is the most effective option. However, if you are not ready to quit nicotine entirely, switching to vaping may be a slightly safer alternative, though risks still remain.
