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It seems like everything has risks, especially the enjoyable things in life.  That’s always the way it goes, right?
One of the things that we now know is bad for us, no matter what our make-up may be, is smoking.
It causes lung cancer, puts you at risk of cardiac issues, and can even put your family at risk.
Those risks, especially the last one, led specialists to create e-cigarettes or vape pens. But now consumers and scientists are asking similar questions: is vaping really better than smoking?

Vaping vs smoking

Vaping delivers an intense concentration of nicotine and other chemicals: Vaping is an aerosolized version of smoking, so the contents of the canister used when vaping are stronger, as a result, to give that strong flavor and “fix” you’re going for. Their risks are also stronger, including cancer development and delayed or damaged brain cells.

Vaping is especially popular with teenagers: From its bright colors to its eco-friendly design to its delicious flavors, vaping is most popular with teens and even kids.  This means they start vaping younger, which can delay brain growth and put them at risk of lung complications at a much younger age.  Even with proper protections, the average age to start vaping is decreasing.  There is also evidence that vaping can weaken immune systems, which means they may get sick more accessible and faster as they age.

Vaping is cost-effective: One especially popular perk of vaping is that vaping is much more cost-effective. Refillable canisters combined with savings and promos, such as VaporDNA.com special deals, and long lifetimes in pens mean that those who do vape will find it easier on the pocket.  This is especially so when compared to traditional smoking!

Vaping eliminates secondhand smoke: As you already know, a considerable part of the revolution against smoking was because it put spouses, family members, and children at risk of having cancer and developmental issues, even when the smoking was done outside and away from them.  Vaping prevents all secondhand smoke because it releases only harmless steam and it can be done even in the room with an infant with no adverse effects, hypothetically speaking.  

Vaping vs smoking

Vaping is not regulated by the FDA

Another important consideration is that vaping is not regulated by the FDA, which means that the ingredients in vaping products may not be accurately labeled or may contain harmful substances not listed on the label.
The FDA has recently taken steps to regulate e-cigarettes and vaping products, but there are still many products on the market that have not been evaluated for safety. This makes it difficult for consumers to know what they are inhaling, and it increases the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.

Vaping has been linked to addiction

Furthermore, vaping has been linked to a significant increase in the number of youth and young adults who have become addicted to nicotine. According to the CDC, the number of high school students who have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days has increased by 135% from 2017 to 2018.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and e-cigarettes can deliver a high dose of it in a short amount of time. This makes it easier for young people to become addicted and can lead to long-term health problems.

Vaping has been linked to a recent outbreak of lung injuries

It is also important to note that vaping has been linked to a recent outbreak of lung injuries, known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), with many cases resulting in hospitalization and even death.
The CDC has reported more than 2,800 cases of EVALI and 68 deaths as of August 2020. While the exact cause of these injuries is still under investigation, it is believed that the use of illegal THC-containing products may be a contributing factor.

Overall, while vaping may be perceived as a safer alternative to smoking, it still poses a significant number of risks and should be approached with caution.
It is important for individuals to seek professional advice before making the decision to switch to vaping, and for parents and caregivers to educate themselves and their children about the potential dangers of vaping.

Vaping is not a quit-smoking tool

It’s worth mentioning that vaping is not an FDA-approved quit-smoking tool, and studies have found that vaping may actually make it harder for smokers to quit.
It’s important to remember that the best way to quit smoking is through FDA-approved methods such as nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medication combined with counseling or support groups.
It’s also recommended to seek advice from healthcare professionals to determine the best methods to quit smoking.

The bottom line

Realistically speaking, vaping is still better than smoking when you look at the data.  However, scientists still urge that vapers are careful in how much they engage with their fixes and still focus on being responsible around other people, especially teenagers and kids.

There is some hope to suggest that vaping could be a safer alternative for someone on the road to quitting smoking.  Some specialists believe that switching from vaping to smoking and cutting back on vaping can lead to people overcoming nicotine addictions.  However, it will depend on the individual, how long they’ve been smoking, and other personalized characteristics regarding their comfort and determination level in overcoming addiction.