Although vaping (using e-cigarettes) is frequently seen as a "healthier alternative" to smoking traditional cigarettes, this notion is deceptive. Although vaping may be thought to be less dangerous than smoking due to its convenience, lack of offensive odor, or the widespread notion that it is not particularly bad for you, it is still not safe. Nicotine and other hazardous compounds found in vape products can be bad for your health.

Dr. Viny Kantroo, senior consultant, respiratory, critical care and sleep medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, discussed in an interview with the differences between vaping and cigarette smoking as two popular methods of nicotine intake and the associated health hazards.

Vaping vs smoking cigarettes

"Cigarette smoking involves burning tobacco, which creates smoke that has thousands of chemicals," she explained. Numerous of these compounds are harmful, and several are known to induce cancer. Smoking is associated with major health issues including lung cancer, heart illness, stroke, and respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

"Vaping, on the other hand, uses a device to heat a liquid (called e-liquid or vape juice) that often contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals," Dr. Kantroo continued. This produces a vapor that you breathe in. Because e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, they emit less harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes.

But she cautioned that this vapor might still harbor hazardous components. Chemicals such as diacetyl (which is utilized in some flavorings) and heavy metals from the vaping device can be inhaled and come into contact with the inner lining of the lungs, according to Dr. Kantroo. This exposure can change how our body tissues operate and behave, resulting in irritation and increased production of mucus or phlegm. These secretions can obstruct the breathing tubes, causing major health hazards and disrupting regular breathing.

Is vaping really safer?

Most health experts agree that "vaping is less harmful than smoking" traditional cigarettes, according to Dr Kantroo, primarily because it doesn't generate the same number of harmful compounds as burning tobacco. Many individuals who quit smoking and start vaping minimize their exposure to carcinogens and other pollutants.

However, 'less harmful' does not imply 'safe'. "Vaping still exposes your body to nicotine, which is highly addictive and can affect your heart and brain," Dr. Kantroo stated. Additionally, e-cigarette vapor includes compounds that have the potential to harm and irritate your lungs. Some of these compounds, such diacetyl, which is utilized in certain flavorings, have been associated with significant lung illnesses.

She went on to say that vaping chemicals and heavy metals can enter the bloodstream and have detrimental consequences in other parts of the body, especially the kidneys and heart. "The deposition of these compounds in these organs might impair how these organs function over time by interfering with essential chemical reactions and altering natural detoxification processes," Dr. Kantroo stated.

Potential health hazards

Because of the nicotine content, both smoking and vaping may result in addiction, according to Dr. Kantroo: "Although vaping typically causes less harm to the lungs and heart than smoking, it can still raise your risk of lung problems and heart issues, only to a lesser degree. Because e-cigarettes are still relatively new, the long-term consequences of vaping are not yet well known.

"Vaping is particularly dangerous for youngsters, pregnant women, and non-smokers," she continued. "It can impair brain development in adolescents and raise the likelihood of beginning to smoke regular cigarettes later in life."

Vaping is "probably less dangerous than smoking cigarettes," but it is not risk-free, according to Dr. Kantroo. "Both practices are capable of doing that," she stated.amage your health and are best avoided. If you don’t smoke, don’t start vaping. If you do smoke, quitting completely is the healthiest option. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor or seek out support programs.”

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