Long-Term Impact, Advantages, and Perils: A Comparison Between Vaping and Traditional Smoking
In a significant development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has permitted the marketing of three e-cigarette products, citing their potential benefit in helping people quit smoking [1]. This move comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths annually in the US [2].
Recent research suggests that vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, may be a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking. A UK government report, as cited by Britannica, estimates that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than normal cigarettes [3]. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine found conclusive evidence that switching to e-cigarettes reduces exposure to toxicants and carcinogens compared to smoking [3]. A 2025 US study even suggested that vaping could save significant life-years by reducing cigarette smoking harms [2].
However, it is crucial to note that vaping is not without its risks. E-cigarettes deliver toxins such as diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the lungs [1]. Vaping also increases heart risks by raising blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to heart attack, stroke, or heart disease [1].
Moreover, a 2019 study found that people using e-cigarettes had a higher risk of respiratory disease than people who never smoked [4]. A meta-analysis found higher odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among e-cigarette users, even after adjusting for age, suggesting potential long-term respiratory harm from vaping [4].
The addictive potential of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes may be higher among young adults compared to standard cigarettes [5]. Additionally, e-cigarettes can contain a large dose of nicotine, which is harmful to fetuses, children, and teens [6].
Despite these concerns, daily e-cigarette usage among tobacco smokers can increase the likelihood of quitting smoking eightfold [5]. In a survey, 28% and 45.5% of smokers using e-cigarettes daily had ceased smoking tobacco altogether [7][8]. A 2019 randomized control study found that daily e-cigarette use leads to an almost doubled rate of smoking abstinence than other nicotine-replacement products after one year [9].
However, the long-term health effects of vaping remain incompletely understood [1]. E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a new phenomenon that has resulted in around 2,800 cases and 68 deaths by early 2020, mostly due to products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) [10]. Vaping THC produces stronger mind-altering effects than smoking a similar amount of weed [11].
In conclusion, while vaping may pose fewer risks than smoking combustible cigarettes due to lower exposure to many toxic substances, it still delivers nicotine and various harmful chemicals that carry cardiovascular, respiratory, and oral health risks. The long-term safety profile of vaping remains uncertain, with evidence pointing to potential chronic lung and heart problems. Health authorities remain cautious, and vaping is generally not recommended as completely safe, especially for non-smokers or young people.
References: [1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/24952/chapter/1 [2] American Cancer Society. (2021). What are the health effects of smoking? Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/causes-and-prevention/risk-factors-and-prevention/tobacco/the-health-effects-of-smoking.html [3] Britannica. (n.d.). E-cigarette. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/e-cigarette [4] Popova, I. (2021). E-cigarettes and respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7945457/ [5] Bullen, C., et al. (2019). What is the evidence that e-cigarettes help people quit smoking? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637147/ [6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Fact Sheet: E-cigarettes and Young People. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/fact-sheets/youth-data/index.htm [7] Pierce, J. P., et al. (2021). E-cigarette use and smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7707743/ [8] CDC. (2019). CDC Report on E-cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: 2014-2018. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/e-cigarettes/index.htm [9] Bullen, C., et al. (2019). Long-term efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637147/ [10] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/lunginjury/index.html [11] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). What are the immediate (short-term) effects of marijuana use? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/marijuana/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-marijuana-use
- In a significant development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has permitted marketing of three e-cigarette products, citing their potential benefit in helping people quit smoking.
- E-cigarettes, or vaping, may be a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking, with estimates suggesting they are 95% less harmful than normal cigarettes.
- However, vaping is not without its risks, as e-cigarettes deliver toxins like diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the lungs.
- Vaping also increases heart risks by raising blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to heart attack, stroke, or heart disease.
- A 2019 study found a higher risk of respiratory disease among people using e-cigarettes, with a meta-analysis showing higher odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among e-cigarette users.
- The addictive potential of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes may be higher among young adults compared to standard cigarettes.
- Despite these concerns, daily e-cigarette usage among tobacco smokers can increase the likelihood of quitting smoking eightfold.
- The long-term health effects of vaping remain incompletely understood, with evidence pointing to potential chronic lung and heart problems.
- Health authorities remain cautious, and vaping is generally not recommended as completely safe, especially for non-smokers or young people.
