Vaping hasn’t been mainstream for long and thus there are sceptics, understandably. Research is constantly underway to find out more about the effects of vaping, especially when compared to smoking. But what have we learnt so far?
Studies show that cigarettes contain tar and about 70 proven cancer-causing chemicals. Not only is smoking linked to cancer, but it also causes heart disease. Statistics show that smoking kills 6 million people annually around the globe. Cancer or other lethal diseases related to smoking are cited for 30% of those who die from smoking every year. To add to this, cigarette smoking doesn’t only harm the person who is smoking, but also those around them through second-hand smoke. Scientists all agree that smoking is bad for and are continuously encouraging people to quit, and vaping is proven to aid in this.
Although research is still being conducted with regards to vaping, the latest shows that the biggest harm vaping poses is possible dependence due to the nicotine in some e-liquids. So far, no study has been able to show prove that vaping has any life-threatening consequences. Vaping unlike smoking, produces vapour and steam which is inhaled and consequently put out into the atmosphere, which is better for the vaper as well as the environment. Vapers also have the option of liquids that are nicotine free, thus taking out the likelihood of dependence.
The formaldehyde study
Last year, concerns were raised about the amount of formaldehyde (a carcinogen) emitted when vaping. The study claimed that e-cigarettes emitted up to five times more than that of cigarettes when on the highest setting. Many scientists disputed this finding and noticed flaws in the study. They found that researchers had only seen the high formaldehyde emissions when e-cigarettes were on a very high voltage setting. Vapers try to avoid this because when their devices heat up too quickly, it dries out the e-liquid and creates a bad taste, also known as “dry puffs”. When kept at a lower level, which is preferred by vapers, formaldehyde emissions were much lower than that of cigarettes. The other criticism was that researchers only tested one type of device, however accredited their findings to all devices. A new study was published recently that contradicted the initial study’s findings. You can read more about that in this article.
Cost effective
People aren’t only better off vaping when it comes to their health, but it’s also better for their pocket. The initial cost of an e-cigarette is more than a packet of cigarettes, although it’s soon evident that it’s a more cost effective option in the long run, as e-liquids are relatively inexpensive.
Socially acceptable
Apart from the above, vaping is far more socially acceptable than smoking. The vapour scent is pleasant, doesn’t cause smelly breath and bad teeth. To make it even more appealing, vaping is also known to help smokers quit.
Taking all the above into consideration, vaping is the smarter choice.
