Vaping may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, but experts caution that neither habit is truly safe. Both contain nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco products, making quitting a real challenge.
According to Alejandra Ellison-Barnes, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins Tobacco Treatment and Cancer Screening Clinic, vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than cigarette smoke. However, because vaping products aren’t well regulated, their exact ingredients and potential health risks are often unknown.
If you or a loved one is trying to quit, here’s what health experts think you should know first. Tracy Smith, Ph.D., associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center, stresses that “It’s never too late to quit.”
How to Quit Vaping
While some people manage to quit cold turkey, this isn’t a realistic approach for everyone. Nicotine is highly addictive, making it difficult to quit all at once. Many health experts recommend creating a quit plan that involves gradually reducing nicotine intake while working with a healthcare professional.
Dr. Ellison-Barnes explains, “The approach to stopping vaping is similar to what we recommend for smoking. A combination of counseling and medication has been found to be most effective.”
Smith cautions those who previously smoked cigarettes: “It’s critical that they do not return to cigarette smoking, as it would be worse than vaping.”
Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?
While vaping does pose less of a health risk compared to smoking, it’s not without its own risks. Smith points out that switching to a nicotine vaping product can drastically reduce toxicant exposure for those struggling to quit cigarettes. But it doesn’t mean vaping is safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that cigarette smokers are about 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer. Vaping, according to a 2020 Johns Hopkins Medicine study, has also been linked to chronic lung disease and asthma. Long-term effects are still unknown due to the newer nature of vaping products.
Dr. Ellison-Barnes reiterates, “We don’t yet know all the long-term effects associated with vaping. The lack of regulation means we often don’t know what’s in these products, which could pose additional health risks.”
Nicotine, present in both regular and e-cigarettes, can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the chances of a heart attack. According to the CDC, cigarette smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke.
Some short-term data suggest that switching from smoking to vaping can improve lung function. However, Smith emphasizes that the greatest health benefits come from quitting altogether.
