Is Vaping A Better Alternative Than Quitting Smoking For Good?

Is vaping a better alternative than quitting smoking?

Although vaping is better than smoking tobacco, it is best to stop completely. There is scientific evidence that vaping also causes harmful effects. Although not as serious as tobacco, they are harmful to health.

The Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, invented electronic cigarettes in 2004. Since then, they have been marketed as an alternative, not for tobacco, but to quit smoking. The worst thing is that many people think it is completely harmless.

Since the invention, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased by 600%. It is worrying that young people are one of the population groups that use them the most. In the United States, there is even a vaping epidemic. As such, many people wonder if vaping is a better alternative than quitting smoking for good.

Tobacco and its effects

Tobacco is a plant native to America that is spread all over the world thanks to Spanish and Portuguese colonists. In America, tobacco had and still has a sacred connotation in indigenous communities. This means that it was consumed only in ritual acts and not on a daily basis.

Tobacco produces addiction due to one of the substances it contains: Nicotine. In addition to addiction, experts do not fully know the additional effects of this drug. The most toxic chemicals, including tar, are formed during the combustion of tobacco.

This drug is the main cause of cancer. In addition, carbon monoxide produced during combustion is a toxic gas that causes red blood cells to transport less oxygen. There are 250 other harmful substances in tobacco, 50 of which are carcinogenic.

Vaping and its effects: Is vaping a better option?

Vaping is the inhalation of the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that contain cartridges filled with liquid. This liquid usually contains nicotine in various proportions as well as other chemicals.

What electronic cigarettes do is heat the liquid until it evaporates. This vapor is what the person inhales and the reason why this action is called “vaping”. Since vaping is relatively new, experts do not yet know all of its effects.

However, vaping in teens has been related to slower brain development due to the effect of nicotine. Similarly, it can affect concentration, memory, learning and mood. It also predisposes them to develop other addictions.

Similarly stated, some researchers of The New England Journal of Medicine, that the steam contains harmful substances, such as ultra-fine particles, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. They  irritate the lungs and can damage them.

Vaping and smoking

Here are the main differences between vaping and smoking:

• Nicotine. Tobacco always contains nicotine, while electronic cigarettes or steam equipment do not. In the latter, nicotine can be suppressed or included in various proportions.
• Tobacco. Vape devices do not contain tobacco, but rather other chemicals. As we have already mentioned above, some of these substances are potentially harmful.

• Carcinogenic potential. So far, experts have not shown that the vapor has carcinogenic potential. However, it can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory problems.
• Harmful effects. According to the British Department of Health and Social Affairs and the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is 95% safer than smoking. However, this does not mean that it is not harmless.

Vaping and smoking cessation: Is vaping a better option?

The indisputable truth is that the best option is not to steam, but to quit smoking. Although the effects of vaping are not yet fully understood, experts agree that it ultimately causes lung damage and can even lead to death in certain circumstances.

Being addicted to something is not positive. It is a behavior that prevents free will and conditions for people in many ways. In addition, an addict always has a higher risk of developing other addictions than one who does not have an addiction in advance.

Vaping can be a great way to start the process of quitting smoking. However, it is best to seek medical attention to develop an appropriate plan for each person’s particular circumstances and avoid surprises that can be extremely negative.