Is Vaping Better Than Smoking? New Research Reveals Surprising Facts

Smoking is responsible for over eight million deaths globally each year, so is vaping better than smoking? According to UK experts in 2022, vaping poses “a small fraction of the risks of smoking” in the short and medium term. Despite this evidence, four in ten smokers in Great Britain believe vaping is as risky or more dangerous than smoking, up from a third the previous year.

This growing misconception could be preventing many from making a potentially life-saving switch. In fact, almost two-thirds of people who use a vape along with support from their local Stop Smoking Service successfully quit smoking. Furthermore, a 2022 Cochrane review suggests that vaping helps more people to quit smoking than other nicotine replacement products, and when combined with behavioural support, it’s nearly twice as effective as medicinal nicotine replacement therapy.

In this article, we’ll examine the evidence comparing vaping and smoking, explore their different health impacts, and address common myths that might be stopping 1.8 million smokers (27%) from trying vaping as a quitting aid. We’ll also look at specific concerns like effects on teeth, pregnancy, and long-term health to give you a complete picture of what current research tells us.

What Makes Vaping Different from Smoking?

The fundamental difference between vaping and smoking lies in how substances are consumed. While traditional cigarettes burn tobacco through combustion, e-cigarettes heat a liquid solution to create an inhalable aerosol.

How e-cigarettes work vs. traditional cigarettes

E-cigarettes consist of three main components: a battery, an e-liquid cartridge, and an electronic heating atomiser ^[1]. When activated, either by drawing on the device or pressing a button, the battery powers the atomiser which heats the e-liquid until it vaporises. In contrast, traditional cigarettes involve burning tobacco leaves, which produces smoke through combustion at temperatures exceeding 600°F (315°C) ^[2].

This distinction is crucial because combustion creates thousands of harmful chemicals. Cigarette smoke contains over 6,500 identified compounds ^[3], whereas e-cigarette aerosols generally contain fewer toxic components ^[1].

Nicotine delivery: combustion vs. vaporisation

Both products deliver nicotine, but through different mechanisms. In cigarettes, nicotine is released through burning tobacco. E-cigarettes, however, deliver nicotine by heating a solution typically containing propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavourings ^[1].

Notably, the nicotine absorption rate differs between products. Research shows that first-generation e-cigarettes delivered significantly less nicotine to the bloodstream than cigarettes. It took approximately 35 minutes of vaping with newer high-wattage devices to achieve blood nicotine levels similar to smoking one cigarette in 5 minutes ^[4].

Some newer e-cigarettes use nicotine salts rather than freebase nicotine, which can increase nicotine delivery and potentially raise addiction potential ^[5].

Is vaping better than smoking cigarettes chemically?

Chemically, the profiles of e-cigarette aerosol and cigarette smoke are almost entirely different ^[1]. Studies have found that:

E-cigarette aerosols contain significantly fewer carcinogens. One study found that carbonyl emissions from e-cigarettes were 68.6% to over 99.9% lower than those from traditional cigarettes ^[3].
Many harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke are absent or present at much lower levels in e-cigarette aerosol.
However, e-cigarettes still expose users to potentially harmful substances including propylene glycol, glycerin, some heavy metals, and certain volatile organic compounds ^[6].

Although vaping appears to reduce exposure to many cigarette smoke toxicants, it isn’t risk-free. The health effects of long-term vaping remain unclear as e-cigarettes only entered the international market in 2007 ^[1].

Health Risks: What the Research Says

Research consistently shows that vaping exposes users to fewer toxins than traditional smoking, though it’s not without risks.

Toxin levels in vape aerosol vs. cigarette smoke

Studies indicate that e-cigarette aerosols contain significantly fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke. Specifically, vaping reduces exposure to toxins by 68.5% to over 99% compared to cigarettes under standard conditions ^[3]. Nevertheless, vape aerosol still contains concerning substances including nicotine, ultrafine particles, heavy metals like nickel and tin, and some cancer-causing chemicals ^[7].

Short-term side effects of vaping

Common immediate effects of vaping include:

Coughing and shortness of breath
Dry mouth and throat irritation
Headaches
Nausea ^[8]

These side effects typically dissipate with continued use but shouldn’t be overlooked ^[8].

Is vaping safer than cigarettes for your lungs?

Ultimately, vaping appears less damaging to lungs than smoking but still presents risks. While cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals with many causing cancer and lung disease, vape aerosol lacks tar and carbon monoxide ^[9]. Even so, vaping can lead to lung inflammation and conditions like lipoid pneumonia ^[10]. Moreover, researchers have observed an “explosive uptick” in patients with vaping-related lung issues ^[10].

Is vaping better for your teeth than smoking?

Dental health suffers under both habits, yet evidence suggests vaping causes less severe oral problems than smoking ^[11]. Specifically, vaping increases risk of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and reduced saliva antioxidant capacity ^[11]. At the same time, studies indicate e-cigarette users have elevated inflammatory biomarkers in crevicular fluid compared to non-users ^[11].

Is vaping better than smoking when pregnant?

Neither habit is safe during pregnancy. Though vaping doesn’t produce carbon monoxide (particularly harmful to developing babies), it typically contains nicotine, which damages foetal brain and lung development ^[9]. Additionally, nicotine exposure during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight and preterm births ^[7]. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid both practises entirely.

Does Vaping Help You Quit Smoking?

For smokers trying to quit, evidence suggests that e-cigarettes offer a valuable alternative to traditional cessation methods. The question remains: exactly how effective is vaping for those looking to break free from tobacco?

Cochrane review on vaping for smoking cessation

The latest Cochrane review, analysing data from 78 studies involving over 22,000 participants, provides compelling evidence on vaping’s effectiveness. This comprehensive assessment found high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes help more people quit smoking than traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) ^[12]. Indeed, if six in 100 people quit using NRT, between eight and twelve would quit using e-cigarettes ^[13]. This represents an additional two to six successful quitters per 100 people ^[12].

Why is vaping better than smoking for quitting?

E-cigarettes appear more effective for several reasons. Firstly, they address both the nicotine addiction and the behavioural aspects of smoking. The hand-to-mouth action and throat sensation closely mimic smoking, making the transition easier ^[9]. Subsequently, users report that vaping alleviates tobacco withdrawal symptoms more effectively than NRT ^[14]. Furthermore, the ability to tailor nicotine doses to individual needs likely contributes to their success ^[14].

Dual use vs. full switch: what matters more?

Research clearly shows that completely switching to vaping yields better outcomes than dual use. A recent study found that people using both vapes and cigarettes were less likely to quit compared to exclusive vapers ^[1]. Over time, many dual users (between 30-58%) reverted to smoking cigarettes exclusively ^[1]. Consequently, experts emphasise that you will not get the full benefit from vaping unless you stop smoking cigarettes completely ^[9].

How much better is vaping than smoking for quitting?

In quantifiable terms, studies show that e-cigarettes increase quit rates by 83% compared to NRT ^[14]. Among local stop smoking services, those using vaping products achieved quit success rates between 59.7% and 74% ^[15]. Browse our website for the top vape devices to help you transition from cigarettes to vapes and start your journey to quit tobacco.

Overall, while neither approach is risk-free, current evidence indicates that vaping offers smokers a more effective pathway to quitting than traditional methods.

Common Myths About Vaping Debunked

Widespread misconceptions about vaping persist despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Let’s examine four common myths that often prevent smokers from considering vaping as an alternative.

Myth: Vaping causes popcorn lung

Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) gained its nickname when factory workers developed this rare condition after inhaling diacetyl used in popcorn flavouring. Yet, there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarette use ^[16]. Importantly, diacetyl was banned in e-liquids under UK regulations in 2016 ^[16]. Even before the ban, diacetyl levels in e-liquids were hundreds of times lower than in cigarette smoke ^[17], and smoking itself is not a major risk factor for this rare disease.

Myth: Nicotine causes cancer

Approximately four out of ten smokers and ex-smokers incorrectly believe nicotine causes most smoking-related cancers ^[17]. Actually, nicotine carries minimal risk to health and is not classified as a carcinogen in EU law ^[18]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer clearly states that nicotine’s effect “is to make tobacco addictive rather than to cause cancer directly” ^[18]. Most harmful effects come from the thousands of other chemicals in cigarette smoke, particularly those produced during combustion.

Myth: Vaping is more addictive than smoking

Research shows mixed results regarding addiction potential. One study found that exclusive e-cigarette users had over twice the nicotine dependence score (mean 3.5) compared to traditional cigarette smokers (mean 1.6) ^[4]. Conversely, other analysis found young people who vape but don’t smoke are much less likely to be strongly nicotine dependent than smokers ^[5]. Addiction risk varies based on device design, nicotine concentration, and individual usage patterns.

Myth: Passive vaping is as harmful as second-hand smoke

Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce side-stream emissions ^[17]. Public Health England’s evidence review found no identified health risks of passive vaping to bystanders ^[17]. This contrasts sharply with second-hand smoke, which increases non-smokers’ risk of lung cancer by 20-30% ^[19]. Essentially, while e-cigarette vapour isn’t completely harmless, its risk profile differs fundamentally from cigarette smoke.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we’ve examined the current evidence comparing vaping and smoking, and the findings are significant. Research consistently demonstrates that vaping exposes users to substantially fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes. The fundamental difference lies in the absence of combustion, which consequently eliminates many of the harmful chemicals produced when tobacco burns.

However, this doesn’t mean vaping is completely risk-free. The evidence clearly shows it carries some health concerns, particularly for non-smokers and young people who might become addicted to nicotine. For current smokers, though, switching completely to vaping offers a substantially less harmful alternative.

Additionally, the evidence supporting vaping as a smoking cessation tool appears stronger than ever. The comprehensive Cochrane review confirms that e-cigarettes help more people quit smoking than traditional nicotine replacement therapies. This scientific backing should reassure smokers considering the switch.

Many harmful misconceptions about vaping persist despite scientific evidence to the contrary. The myths regarding popcorn lung, nicotine causing cancer, addiction levels, and passive vaping have all been challenged by research. These unfounded fears might prevent smokers from trying a potentially life-saving alternative.

Ultimately, the question “Is vaping better than smoking?” has a nuanced answer. For non-smokers, neither option is advisable. For current smokers, though, the evidence strongly suggests that completely switching to vaping significantly reduces health risks compared to continuing to smoke cigarettes. Browse our website for the top vape devices to help you transition from cigarettes to vapes and start your journey to quit tobacco.

Therefore, while the ideal scenario remains complete abstinence from both smoking and vaping, current evidence indicates that for those unable to quit nicotine altogether, vaping represents a considerably less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes. The long-term health impacts still require further research, but the short and medium-term evidence points clearly toward vaping being the better option for smokers looking to reduce harm.

FAQs

Q1. Is vaping less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes? While not entirely risk-free, vaping exposes users to significantly fewer toxins than smoking. Research indicates that e-cigarette aerosols contain 68.5% to 99% fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke under standard conditions.

Q2. Can vaping help smokers quit more effectively than other methods? Yes, evidence suggests that vaping is more effective for smoking cessation than traditional nicotine replacement therapies. A comprehensive Cochrane review found that e-cigarettes help more people quit smoking, with success rates potentially 2-6% higher per 100 people compared to other methods.

Q3. Does vaping cause ‘popcorn lung’? There have been no confirmed cases of ‘popcorn lung’ (bronchiolitis obliterans) linked to e-cigarette use. The chemical associated with this condition, diacetyl, has been banned in UK e-liquids since 2016.

Q4. Is nicotine in e-cigarettes a cause of cancer? Nicotine itself is not classified as a carcinogen and carries minimal health risks. The majority of smoking-related cancers are caused by other chemicals produced during tobacco combustion, not by nicotine.

Q5. Is second-hand vapour as harmful as second-hand smoke? Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce side-stream emissions. Public Health England’s evidence review found no identified health risks of passive vaping to bystanders, which contrasts sharply with the known risks of second-hand smoke from cigarettes.