Smoking vs. Vaping: 8 Reasons Vaping Is More Beneficial

1. Smoking vs. Vaping: 8 Reasons Vaping Is More Beneficial Vaping has become increasingly popular with those looking for an alternative to smoking. Many perceive smoking and vaping to be the same—after all, they both involve inhaling some kind of “smoke” that is foreign to the body, and both can contain nicotine. So what is the difference really? How exactly is vaping beneficial in comparison? Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons. Combustion vs. Vaporization Smoking tobacco involves combustion, a chemical reaction that changes the state of the matter, creating smoke and ash in the process. Inhaling the smoke created by combustion causes damage to the lungs, filling them with tar and many other chemicals. Vaping, on the other hand, does not heat to the point of combustion, and therefore does not emit the more than 4000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

2. Feel Bad vs. Feel Better Tobacco smokers can notice their health decline over time. Commonly reported health issues include respiratory inefficiencies or illness, decreased circulation, and a decline in energy. Carcinogens created by the combustion of tobacco can also increase smokers’ risk of developing cancer. E-cigarette users often report that they feel much better after switching to vaping, experiencing less coughing and better overall respiratory performance, an increase in daily energy, and improved complexion among other changes. No Control vs. Full Control When you smoke a tobacco cigarette, you have absolutely no control over how much nicotine you are consuming, and the concentration of nicotine in a cigarette is completely dependent on the brand. So when it comes to quitting, cigarettes perpetuate the an all-or-nothing mentality that makes it harder to stop or cut down. The e-liquid used in e-cigarettes comes in many different strengths of nicotine. Because of that, the amount of nicotine consumed with vaping is decided by the user. So if you’re looking to decrease your nicotine intake, you can do so slowly and comfortably without inciting agonizing nicotine withdrawal. In addition, e-liquid can also come with no nicotine at all if you still crave the hand-to-mouth motion after quitting nicotine. Spending More vs. Spending Less Smoking can be very expensive! A pack of cigarettes per day costs around $10 on average, totalling $300 on average per month, and a whopping $3,650 per year! Now imagine how much you’d be spending over the course of a lifetime—I bet that number doesn’t sit too well. The initial cost of vaping can seem pretty high in comparison to a $10 pack of cigarettes (it’s normally closer to the $100 range). However, e-cigarettes are refillable and rechargeable, so you won’t have to front that cost again for quite some time. Monthly, you would need to purchase replacement coils and e-liquid (~$20 each), but these items will normally last between 1-4 weeks, rather than a matter of days. So in total, you’d be looking at a yearly investment of $560 (including the initial device purchase). What a difference!

3. Smelling Gross vs. Smelling Great Even smokers know that tobacco smoke smells gross. Not only is the odour of the smoke itself displeasing, but it also leaches into fabrics, leaving leaves a musty stench. And while air fresheners and perfumes can be used to cover up the smell temporarily, the ashy undertone will still linger. Vaping does produce a mild scent, but it normally reflects the flavour of e-liquid used (like fruits or desserts—smells that are generally described as “good”). This scent is temporary; it fades along with the vapour after a few minutes, and does not linger on clothes and fabrics like tobacco smoke does. Yellow Teeth vs. White Teeth Beyond the smell, tobacco smoke contains tar that leaves yellow stains on your teeth. Whitening procedures can be used to revert your teeth back to their original colour, but they can be expensive and will often lead to painful sensitivity if used too often. Smoking is also known to lead to gum recession, mouth cancer, and bad breath. Using an e-cigarette does not contribute to discoloration of the teeth whatsoever. In fact, many people who vape report that their tongue, gums, and teeth have improved greatly since switching from cigarettes to vaping. Secondhand Smoke vs. Less Harmful Vapour Smoke from combusted tobacco puts dangerous carcinogens and over 4000 toxins into the air, contributing to the development of cancer and other diseases. These emissions are not only absorbed by the smoker, but also by others in the surrounding area. This invasive air pollution is what is known as secondhand smoke. Since e-cigarettes avoid combustion completely, they also bypass the production of carcinogens. And because vaping does not emit toxic chemicals, inhaling secondhand vapour carries much less of a risk overall. Environmental Biohazard vs. Recyclable Products Cigarette butts are the most commonly littered items in the world, making up 50% of all litter in North America. In 2013, roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes were being consumed globally per year. That’s a lot of cigarette butts! They are also one of the most hazardous threats to our ecosystem. When tossed

4. on the ground, cigarette butts transmit toxic chemicals that contaminate surrounding fresh water sources and natural wildlife. Contrary to popular belief, the filters are found in these cigarette butts are not made of cotton, but cellulose acetate tow, which can take decades to decompose in landfills. These filters have been found inside the stomachs of many birds and aquatic animals who mistake them for food, posing a major threat to wildlife. Governments worldwide spend billions of dollars attempting to collect and correctly dispose of cigarette butts, but only around 10% are ever recovered. The other 90%, about 4.95 trillion, are left deposited in our environment, including our neighbourhoods, beaches, parks, and other public spaces. Vaping, however, creates minimal waste, as the devices are reusable. The batteries, coils, and e- liquid bottles are eco-friendly and recyclable as well. Source: https://medium.com/@180smoke.com/smoking-vs-vaping-8-reasons-vaping-is-more- beneficial-9a84b41d5720