If you’ve been thinking about quitting smoking, you’re not alone. Around 7 out of 10 smokers want to stop, and for good reason—quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, especially your heart. In fact, nearly a third of deaths from heart disease are linked to smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
As people seek alternatives to traditional cigarettes, many turn to vaping as a way to ease their transition. But is smoking or vaping really better for your health? Can e-cigarettes help you quit smoking for good? Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, offers critical insights into the health effects of smoking or vaping.
1. Vaping Is Less Harmful Than Smoking, But Still Not Safe
E-cigarettes heat nicotine extracted from tobacco, along with flavorings and other chemicals, to create an aerosol that you inhale. Traditional cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While vaping generally exposes you to fewer harmful substances, it’s still not without risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported cases of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping. In 2020, there were 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 confirmed deaths. Most of these cases were linked to the use of modified vaping devices or black-market e-liquids containing THC.
The CDC recommends avoiding THC-containing vape products and only purchasing vaping devices from reputable sources. Modifying your vape device or using unofficial e-liquids could expose you to harmful substances, including vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent found in many illicit products and linked to lung injuries.
2. Vaping Can Harm Your Heart and Lungs
Both smoking and vaping deliver nicotine, a highly addictive and toxic substance. Nicotine raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, and can lead to heart disease. It also spikes adrenaline, which may increase your risk of a heart attack.
There are still many unknowns about how vaping affects long-term health, but emerging research suggests potential links between e-cigarette use and chronic lung disease, asthma, and cardiovascular disease. According to Blaha, “You’re exposing yourself to chemicals that we don’t yet fully understand, which could pose significant risks to your health.”
3. E-Cigarettes Are Just as Addictive as Traditional Cigarettes
Both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and studies show that it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. In fact, some e-cigarette users may consume more nicotine than traditional smokers due to the availability of extra-strength cartridges and adjustable voltage settings that increase the amount of nicotine inhaled.
4. E-Cigarettes Aren’t the Best Smoking Cessation Tool
While e-cigarettes are often marketed as a tool to help smokers quit, they have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as smoking cessation devices. In fact, a study found that many people who try to quit smoking with e-cigarettes end up using both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, rather than quitting altogether.
The CDC advises those using e-cigarettes to quit smoking to consider FDA-approved cessation tools like nicotine patches, gums, or prescription medications instead of relying solely on vaping.
5. A New Generation Is Getting Hooked on Nicotine Through Vaping
E-cigarettes, particularly disposable vapes, are now the most popular nicotine product among youth. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes, with over 80% of them favoring flavored e-cigarettes.
Blaha points out three reasons why vaping is particularly attractive to young people:
- Perception of reduced harm compared to smoking.
- Lower cost per use than traditional cigarettes.
- No smoke and the reduced stigma associated with vaping.
What’s most concerning, according to Blaha, is that many teens who would never have smoked are starting to vape, leading to nicotine addiction. This can often result in transitioning to traditional tobacco products, creating lifelong nicotine dependence.
Smoking or Vaping: A Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-cigarette sales initially declined as people spent more time at home. However, daily vaping rates have increased, indicating a rise in nicotine addiction. Vaping, smoking, and other lung irritants can worsen respiratory issues, which is particularly concerning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
