The impact of smoking and vaping: it all varies depending on the perspective

Smokers are becoming more hesitant about the benefits of using e-cigarettes to heat nicotine-containing liquids and inhaling vapors, as opposed to inhaling smoke from burning cigarettes.

Research in the UK last year showed that over a third of smokers now believe vaping is more harmful to health than smoking, compared to 12% four years ago, while another third think vaping is just as bad.

Despite scientific evidence showing the harmful effects of smoking and Cochrane reviews suggesting that vaping can help more people quit than other nicotine products, awareness about vaping remains crucial this year as smokers who perceive it as less harmful are more likely to switch.

While both vaping and smoking have known health effects, experts agree that vaping is less harmful than smoking, exposing individuals to fewer toxins at lower levels. This understanding is supported by research conducted by various experts in the field.

Vaping generally involves inhaling aerosols that may contain nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. – Photo credit: Getty

Dr. Jamie Hartman Boyce, a health policy expert, emphasizes that while e-cigarettes are not completely safe, they are significantly less deadly than smoking.

Although there are ongoing discussions in the media regarding the harms of vaping, it is important to consider the well-documented risks associated with smoking, which tend to impact older populations.

Health risks

Smoking remains a major risk factor for various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, infertility, and pregnancy complications, resulting in over 8 million deaths annually. Vaping, on the other hand, produces a lesser mixture of toxic substances compared to burning tobacco.

While more research is needed on the long-term effects of vaping, current evidence suggests that it is less harmful than smoking. Dr. Sarah Jackson highlights the importance of acknowledging potential long-term risks while focusing on the existing evidence supporting the relative safety of vaping.

Research suggests that switching to vaping is a more effective way to give up smoking than other nicotine replacement products – Photo Credit: Getty

Ongoing research by experts like Dr. Maxime Boidin is aimed at understanding the long-term impact of vaping on health, particularly its effects on blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.

As research progresses, it is crucial to rely on peer-reviewed studies to accurately assess the outcomes and implications of vaping. Media reports on ongoing research can sometimes lead to misconceptions and premature conclusions.

Non-smokers turning to vaping

Evidence suggests that vaping can be an effective method for smoking cessation, with e-cigarettes proving to be more useful than traditional nicotine replacements. However, concerns arise when considering individuals who have never smoked and are now turning to vaping.

It is essential to weigh the risks and benefits of vaping, especially for non-smokers, considering factors like exposure to chemicals and potential nicotine addiction. Choosing between vaping and smoking should be approached with caution, prioritizing health and well-being.


About our experts

Dr. Jamie Hartman Boyce: An assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts, whose work is published in reputable journals.

Dr. Sarah Jackson: A leading researcher in the UCL Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, with work published in esteemed scientific journals.

Dr. Maxime Boidin: A senior lecturer in cardiac rehabilitation at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on cardiovascular health research.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Vaping

E-cigarettes have been credited with helping millions of people in the UK quit smoking, but that doesn’t mean they are without risks.

Vaping may contain fewer harmful substances like nicotine, TAR, and other toxins compared to traditional tobacco, but it is still linked to long-term health issues and can be addictive. Your body may need time to adjust and overcome the addiction completely.

If you are heavily reliant on vaping and nicotine, quitting cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and changes in appetite. These symptoms usually peak around 72 hours after you stop vaping as nicotine leaves your system entirely.

As you approach this 72-hour mark, you may start noticing improvements in taste and smell, clearer breathing, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and reduced chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Currently, an estimated 5.6 million British people are vaping

A survey by the non-smoking charity Truth Initiative found that 90% of people who quit vaping reported reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

The lungs have the ability to repair themselves, and within a year of quitting nicotine altogether, lung capacity and immune function improve significantly, especially for former smokers.

While long-term effects of quitting vaping are still unknown due to its recent emergence, experts generally agree that the risk of cancer and heart disease is likely to decrease after quitting e-cigarettes.


This article addresses the question (from an email by Antonia Fletcher), “What happens if you stop vaping?”

Submit your questions via email to Question @sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Well actually, I’m unsure of how to address my bad habits of drinking beer, vaping, and constantly scrolling on my electronic devices. Any advice on what to do?

BIt's easy to feel a kinship with pop star Selena Gomez, considering her 430 million Instagram followers, reported net worth of $800 million, and close relationship with Taylor Swift. rare. However, 11 days have passed since the new year started, heading “Selena Gomez returns to Instagram, 18 hours after announcing social media hiatus.''

I feel extra conscious of my bad habits – probably due to my depressed body evidence suggests We usually give up on our New Year's resolutions by mid-January.

Info about Selena Gomez

It's not even noon yet and I've spent 45 minutes on Instagram today. She drank two cups of coffee, but I can't rule out the possibility of a third one. My mild headache is a solemn reminder that I ended up having three drinks last night after a sudden hinge date ruined my plans for a quiet evening. And I just took a small swig from her nearly empty vape, which I had vowed to buy one last time.

At least I'm not eating sugar yet.

As you can see, I'm ambivalent about what I consider to be my vices, and I'm more or less attached to them. Most of the time I can ignore them as reliable pleasures in life and they are reasonably tolerable. But peer pressure to be better is always insidious and becomes especially acute at the beginning of a new year..

My newsfeed is full of stories about financial goal setting, improving fitness, non-alcoholic drinks, and sugar substitutes. Friends are pledging to spend the month of dry January taking 10,000 steps a day and cutting out junk food. On the other hand, I think I may be missing out on the tricks of the trade by missing out on the opportunity for a fresh start.


“hand“At this time of year, the focus is on what to start doing and what to stop doing,” says the counselor. georgina starmer. She links it to the excesses of the just-past Christmas season: What do you change? ”

But the flip side of this focus on self-improvement is the need for self-monitoring. We become more aware of our supposed flaws and shortcomings, which may not be particularly harmful and may even bring us joy.

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Source: www.theguardian.com