Vaping is the new smoking
Smoking vs. vaping, which is better?
With smoking, nicotine is delivered to the lungs by burning tobacco whereas with vaping, nicotine is heated into a liquid, in combination with a variety of other flavours and chemicals to create an aerosol for you to inhale.
There is a lot of conflicting low-level evidence when it comes to vaping with some sources saying that vaping is a helpful way to quit smoking. However, recent research from the FDA has disputed this saying that people who vape (to quit nicotine) still continue to both smoke and vape long term. Thus, recent research is showing that vaping may be just as addictive as smoking, if not more so because certain products have ‘extra-strength cartridges’ that give you more nicotine than a typical cigarette. Hence, experts recommend that if you don’t already smoke, don’t vape!
The key message is that while most ‘low strength’ e-cigarettes may be less harmful than smoking, it still isn’t completely harmless.
The honest truth is that vaping hasn’t been around long enough to study its long-term health effects.
Health Effects of Smoking vs. vaping
Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, especially your heart. In fact, nearly 2/3rds of deaths from heart disease are as a result of smoking. Nicotine is a toxic substance that increases blood pressure and adrenaline.
When it comes to vaping, research is still being collected. However, the CDC has found that vitamin E acetate is a chemical of concern in e-cigarettes for people with e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI). It was this thickening agent (often used in THC vaping) that was found in all lung-fluid samples of EVALI deaths.
However, let’s look at the health effects of smoking that we do know. Below is a short list of some of the well-known health consequences of smoking, including:
- Cancer
- Lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Both smoking and vaping are habits that aren’t easy to kick!
When it comes to quitting smoking and vaping, the first step is awareness. After you are aware that it is bad for your health and that it is in fact an addiction, this is when a trained counsellor is a helpful member of your journey. For a comprehensive list of counselling support services in Australia to help you quit, click here.
At Urban Well, we have made it our mission to educate our community about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through behaviour change. How we do this is by spreading high quality research to others, clearing up any misinformation. One service we offer to anyone needing that extra bit of support to get their health back on track is health coaching. To learn more about health coaching at Urban Well, click here.
References:
1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
2. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/index.htm#:~:text=Smoking%20causes%20cancer%2C%20heart%20disease,immune%20system%2C%20including%20rheumatoid%20arthritis.
3. https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/smoking-and-tobacco/smoking-and-tobacco-contacts