Smoking is one of the most addictive habits. This habit causes more than 480,000 deaths in the United States only, not to mention adverse health effects including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancer, just to name a few. While smoking is both a psychological and physical addiction, recovery is successful to most addicts, although not easy. Among common methods used by addicts in a bid to quit smoking include nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications. Others use vaping, which provides a similar feeling to smoking, but has less adverse health effects. 

What is Vaping?

This is the process of inhaling vapor (a substance in its gas form) through an electronic cigarette or vaporizer. The process involves the application of heat that changes the liquid to vapor or gas. This process, however, does not change the chemical composition of the liquid and does not introduce new chemicals to the liquid. 

Vaping is not only cheap as e-cigarettes are less costly but are also less harmful. This is because it delivers nicotine e-liquid, which does not result in more toxins. The amount of vape inhaled, however, depends on how a person apes and the e-liquid chosen. Although vaping can help smoking addicts in the recovery process, it can be addictive to non-smokers. It should, therefore, be used as a smoking addiction control method. 

What is Smoking?

This is the process in which a substance is burned, a process that produces smoke which is then inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. Smoke, a product of smoking is the collection of liquid, solid and gaseous aerosol particles as a result of combustion that occurs when a product reached an autoignition temperature. 

Smoking exposes a person to toxicants including ammonia, lead, carbon monoxide, diacetyl, hydrogen cyanide, and benzene. The nicotine contents produced while smoking is more harmful as it is delivered by burning tobacco, which results in more toxic chemicals. Although the amount of nicotine inhaled while smoking is generally fixed, it also depends on how a person smokes. Smoking is also expensive, with most smokers spending more than $5,000 per year. 

Similarities between Vaping and Smoking

• Both are harmful to a person’s health
• Both deliver nicotine

Differences between Vaping and Smoking

Definition

Vaping refers to the process of inhaling vapor (a substance in its gas form) through an electronic cigarette or vaporizer. On the other hand, smoking refers to the process in which a substance is burned, producing smoke which is then inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. 

Mediums

The mediums used in vaping include personal vaporizers, electronic cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery systems. On the other hand, the medium used in smoking is cigarettes. 

Contents

While vapes consist of solvents and flavors, a battery-powered device, a liquid cartridge containing nicotine, and heating elements, a cigarette consists of tobacco rolled up in a paper.  

Cost

Vaping is less expensive as e-cigarettes are less costly. On the other hand, smoking is costly. 

Health effects

Vaping is less harmful because the process does not change the chemical composition of the liquid hence does not introduce new chemicals. On the other hand, smoking is harmful to a smoker’s health as it exposes them to toxicants including ammonia, lead, carbon monoxide, diacetyl, hydrogen cyanide, and benzene.

Amount inhaled

The amount of vape inhaled depends on how a person apes and the e-liquid chosen. On the other hand, the amount of nicotine inhaled while smoking is generally fixed but also depends on how a person smokes. 

Smell

Vaping produces a less intrusive scent which can be pleasant depending on the flavors used. On the other hand, smoking produces a strong non-pleasing scent that lingers a place for long. 

Vaping vs. Smoking: Comparison Table

Summary of Vaping vs. Smoking

Vaping refers to the process of inhaling vapor (a substance in its gas form) through an electronic cigarette or vaporizer. On the other hand, smoking refers to the process in which a substance is burned, producing smoke which is then inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. It should be noted that while both are harmful to a person’s health, vaping is less harmful in comparison to smoking. It should, however, only be used by persons recovering from smoking addiction. 

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