For decades, the risks of smoking tobacco have been widely understood and documented. Cigarette smoke includes more than 7,000 compounds, including over 70 recognised carcinogens such as formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, and carbon monoxide. Smoking dramatically raises the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, COPD, and other major health problems.
Despite knowing the health risks, many smokers find it extremely difficult to quit. The addictive properties of nicotine, combined with the compulsive behaviours and rituals that surround smoking, make stopping the habit extremely difficult. This has led to the growth of alternative nicotine products targeted at helping smokers move away from combustible cigarettes, with vaping devices or e-cigarettes being one of the most popular options.
While the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, there is mounting evidence that vaping may provide some major health benefits over traditional smoking for those who are unable to completely quit nicotine use. Here are some of the key potential benefits of transitioning from smoking to vaping.
Reduced exposure to toxic substances. When you smoke a cigarette, you inhale millions of toxic compounds resulting from the burning of tobacco and other substances. There is no combustion when using a vape or e-cigarette. Instead, a battery warms a nicotine-containing e-liquid, producing an aerosol or vapour that the user inhales. While vaping is not without risk, by avoiding combustion, vapers can significantly reduce their exposure to many of the toxic substances found in cigarette smoke, such as tar, carbon monoxide, and other carcinogens.
Lower Risk of Lung Disease Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder). These diseases are primarily caused by long-term inhalation of the hot gases and particulate matter found in cigarette smoke. Early research suggests that switching from smoking to vaping can help reduce the risk of developing these smoking-related lung diseases, as the aerosol produced by vaping devices is much less irritating and harmful to the lungs.
Improved cardiovascular health. One of the primary causes of cardiovascular disease from smoking is the excess oxidative stress and inflammation caused by cigarette smoke toxins, which damage blood vessels and disrupt healthy cardiac function. In contrast, multiple studies have found that smokers who switched to vaping had lower blood pressure, less arterial stiffness, and less inflammation – all of which are indicators of good vascular health. While more research is needed, switching to vaping may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in former smokers.
Improved oral and skin health In addition to increasing your risk of cancer, smoking tobacco stains your teeth, causes gum disease, gives you bad breath, and causes premature wrinkles and skin damage. Many people who have switched to THC vapes UK delivery report healthier-looking skin, fresher breath, and better tooth and gum health than when they were smoking. This makes sense because vaping eliminates the tar, oxidants, and other toxic substances found in cigarette smoke, which harms skin and oral tissues.
Fewer Upper Respiratory Issues Coughing, phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and other upper respiratory disorders are incredibly prevalent for smokers due to the heated particulate matter breathed deeply into the lungs. Many former smokers have claimed that their respiratory systems feel better with less mucus and coughing within weeks of switching to vaping. Over time, this lessened insult to the upper airways and lungs could help improve respiratory health and quality of life.
It’s crucial to remember that while vaping does appear to offer some harm reduction compared to smoking, it is not fully risk-free. The long-term implications of vaping still need to be explored, and vaping does still provide nicotine, which is very addictive.
However, for smokers who have attempted unsuccessfully to quit nicotine altogether through various nicotine replacement medications, moving to vaping may be a better choice than continuing smoking combustible cigarettes. Many public health groups now promote vaping as a less dangerous choice for smokers who are unable or unable to entirely quit nicotine products. While probably not as good as quitting nicotine altogether, making the move to vaping could potentially minimise the health hazards compared to continuing smoking.