Is Vaping the Healthy Alternative to Smoking?

Vaping is a new trend that's been gradually replacing cigarettes. Despite not being completely healthy, it's much more so than smoking tobacco.
Is Vaping the Healthy Alternative to Smoking?

Last update: 25 September, 2018

Many people consider electronic cigarettes to be a healthier alternative to cigarettes. However, conflicting opinions have been raised regarding the consequences that vaping has on our health.

Some experts indicate that, although it isn’t the healthiest of habits, it’s in fact considerably less harmful than cigarettes. However, there are many contradicting opinions.

The popularity of electronic cigarettes

Many smokers have discovered that electronic cigarettes are an attractive and healthier alternative to inhaling tobacco smoke. Smoking is extremely harmful to health, so it’s precisely for this reason that electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular.

Is vaping healthy?

One of the reasons why electronic cigarettes have become so popular, is that they give users the opportunity to use them in spaces where traditional cigarettes are banned.

It’s very common to find that more and more people and establishments, are promoting and accepting this type of tobacco alternative. However, new regulations have changed this situation, which leads us wondering if it’s healthy to vape? Or is it another health deteriorating practice?

Is vaping healthy?

Recent studies have indicated that vaping is effectively a much healthier option than inhaling tobacco smoke. To demonstrate this claim, CSIC scientists, Joan Grimalt and Esther Marco, developed a method to analyze the different components of electronic cigarettes against traditional cigarettes.

Scientists explain that, unlike tobacco smoke, electronic cigarettes only contain nicotine. In the case of tobacco, the smoke transfers other types of pollutants, that are considered highly carcinogenic, such as benzene.

There are a lot of harmful active ingredients in cigarettes. In fact, tobacco smokers retain benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, nicotine, and other derivatives in their bodies.

University College London also conducted a study regarding the real consequences of electronic cigarettes. The results were extremely positive for the users of these devices.

Specifically, the study analyzed a group of individuals who switched from smoking tobacco to using electronic cigarettes. After six months, the carcinogenic substances present in these people’s bodies had drastically reduced.

The controversy regarding electronic cigarettes

Even though several studies have indicated that vaping is considerably healthier than smoking tobacco, the issue remains at the center of controversy.

Some people say that these studies lack the methodology to determine how harmful this product is. Despite this, more and more associations recognize the electronic cigarette as a much healthier option than the traditional one.

Aspects such as the vulnerability of former smokers are also at the focus of the debate. Before the approval of electronic cigarettes, there were many doctors that warned against using them in public places. Also unregulated sales of electronic cigarettes can tempt people who have managed (with great effort), to give up the habit of smoking.

Although electronic cigarettes don’t contain the most carcinogenic substances, they do contain nicotine. Therefore, former smokers can quickly fall into old habits that are harmful to their health.

This could make it easier for new generations to have access to an addictive substance, such as nicotine, making the jump to tobacco much more probable.

Vaping and tobacco

Smoking versus vaping

While vaping has become a healthier alternative to smoking, it’s best to avoid falling into any of these habits. It is important to educate ourselves and make the younger generation aware of the pros and cons of using this device. Is vaping healthy? The answer is probably no.

After several studies, it was concluded that vaping is healthy, or at least it is much healthier than inhaling tobacco smoke. Although neither of the two habits are advisable, especially for overweight people.

It’s also important to remember that tobacco smoke contains large amounts of substances, apart from nicotine, which are much more harmful to overall health. Additionally, we’ve seen that electronic cigarettes only contain nicotine, so in principle, they’re a less harmful option.

 


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.