There are more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, and at least 69 of them are known to cause cancer. For this reason and many others, it's becoming increasingly popular for smokers (and non-smokers) to use e-cigarettes instead.
Vaping can be an effective way to quit smoking, as a big part of the addiction comes from the habitual act of smoking itself. Nearly 30% of people who vape used to be regular cigarette smokers.
Some people start vaping as a way to quit or cut back on smoking cigarettes, and some use nicotine-free vapors and essential oils for the relaxation and taste. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of vaping versus smoking.
Health Reasons
A landmark study in the UK in 2017 found that the long term effects of vaping are much less harmful than the long term effects of smoking. This is largely due to e-cigarettes not containing the same harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
E-cigarettes still contain nicotine, but they do not contain any of the other harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, tar or ammonia. Because of this, e-cigarettes are considered to be 95% less harmful than tobacco smoke.
The carbon monoxide and nitric oxide found in cigarettes are the chemicals that are linked to lung cancer. Neither of those chemicals are present in e-cigarettes, thus reducing the negative impact on your lungs.
However, it is important to note that there is still a danger to your lungs when vaping. Inhaling any substance, especially when it contains nicotine, will still have an impact on your lungs over time. So keep that in mind.
Another health benefit of vaping is that it allows you to control your nicotine intake. The main reason it's so effective in helping people quit smoking is that you can wean yourself off of nicotine by gradually reducing the dose.
You can buy e-liquids with 0mgs of nicotine all the way up to 36mgs. So depending on your preference for strength or where you're at in your journey to quit nicotine, there is an option for you.
The idea is that smoking e-cigarettes will eventually wean cigarette smokers completely off nicotene. The best part about vaping is that ex-smokers can still reap the habitual and social benefits by using nicotine-free vapors and essential oils.
It's Cost Effective
At an average of $8 per pack in the U.S., the cost of cigarettes adds up quickly for regular smokers. Yes, vaping requires a bit of an initial investment on gear, but a vaporizer will last much longer than a pack of smokes.
Vaporizers come with re-chargeable batteries, and bottles of e-liquid range in price from $10 to $25. While this might seem expensive, they are meant to last for months.
Depending on strength, one cartridge of e-liquid can contain the same amount of nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. You can get a 5-pack of cartidges of e-liquid for the price of one to two packs of cigarettes, depending on the state you live in.
Regular smokers can save hundreds per year by switching to e-cigarettes. After the initial investment is done and paid for, the only expense comes from e-liquid refills, which are much cheaper in the long run.
Variety, the Spice of Life
Arguably the most alluring thing about vaping is the variety of available flavors. When you smoke cigarettes, the only additional flavor you can have is menthol. And that is not a taste everyone likes.
E-liquid comes in a huge variety of flavors. From classic flavors like vanilla and strawberry, to more exotic blends like lychee-mango, there are unlimited options to choose from. You can even mix and match to create a custom blend.
If you're attached to the taste of tobacco, that flavor is available too. There are plenty of brands to choose from, and each company has their own flavors, like an ice cream shop. In fact, there is probably a flavor called 'ice cream'.
No Gross Smells or Stains
We all know how much tobacco smoke stinks. Even smokers hate the smell of it when its stale and on their clothes. Another huge benefit of vaping is that it actually smells good.
The smell of vapor doesn't linger or attach itself to clothing and upholstery. And it doesn't stain. You can usually tell if someone has smoked for a long time - their teeth and hands have that brownish-yellow tinge.
And if cigarettes are staining your teeth, imagine what they're doing to your lungs. E-cigarettes won't do that, because it's not smoke. It's vapor. It won't stain walls and ceilings either, so you're probably okay to smoke inside your apartment.
No Butts or Ash = No Fire Risk
Cigarette butts are another gross, dangerous aspect of smoking. The smell of stale cigarette butts in an ashtray is not pleasant. Plus, they are a massive fire hazard.
A shocking 90% of wildfires are caused by people; and a big portion of that percentage is because of carelessy discarded cigarette butts. Vaping does not pose that problem.
An e-cigarette produces no ash and involves no combustion. So, vaping poses no fire risk whatsoever. This is a big reason most places don't mind if you vape inside.
There is also no risk of second hand smoke with e-cigarettes, as no vapor comes out of the tip end of the vaporizer.
Other Benefits of Vaping
Vaping is generally considered to be better for the environment as e-cigarettes do not produce cigarette butts. They also don't produce the same level of air-polluting chemicals that cigarettes do.
If you're going to consume nicotine, vaping it instead of smoking it can reduce your chances of getting cancer. Nicotine e-liquids still contain mild traces of carcinogenic properties, but significantly less.
Also, because you're inhaling vapor, not smoke, you won't acquire that nasty smoker's cough. If these reasons don't convince you to switch from cigarettes to vaping, we don't know what will.
The Bottom Line
Nicotine is bad for you. There's no question about it. But if you're going to smoke it anyway, switching to vaping has numerous ticks in the pro column. And even non-smokers can enjoy the flavors and relaxation that comes from vaping.
The benefits of vaping drastically outweigh the benefits of smoking. You still get the same effects with substantially less risk to your health, and more money in the bank. Check out our online store to get started.