Is Vaping Bad?

18 April 2016

It may seem like a simple question, but it’s one we’re sure most of you will have considered at some point: is vaping bad?

Whilst some activities, like smoking cigarettes, undeniably have a negative effect on your health and well-being, how bad vaping is for you is something which can be explored, argued and weighed up with pros and cons.  

As with a lot of things, there is no definite answer - is sugar bad for you? Are extreme sports? Is going to a party? We’re not here to inspire a lengthy debate, but what we can give you is the facts.

1. Certain Studies Suggest that Vaping Can Replace Smoking

A UCL survey of smokers in England reported that people were 60% more likely to succeed in stopping smoking traditional cigarettes if they used e-cigarettes, as opposed to over-the-counter nicotine replacements like patches or gum, or using willpower alone. 

Anything that can successfully help people cut down or stop smoking cigarettes altogether is arguably, to at least some extent, a good thing. Smoking cigarettes causes significant harm to your body, leading to numerous health risks such as lung cancer, heart disease and infertility, to name a few. Unfortunately, smoking can quickly become a habit as a result of the addictive ingredient nicotine, found in tobacco.

Vaping gives users their nicotine fix to help keep the cravings at bay, but without the considerable risks to your health that inhaling burning tobacco causes.

2. Vaping produces NO tar and significantly less harmful chemicals than smoking.

Vaping has not shown any evidence of being a carcinogen or genotoxic, however the long-term effects of using e-cigarettes is still largely unknown. The thick, toxic by-product tar is produced by burning tobacco but, as nothing is burnt during the process of vaping, tar is not present in vapour. 

Cigarette smoke also contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 cancer-causing carcinogenic compounds. Whilst the long-term effects of vaping are unknown, very few carcinogenic chemicals have been found in electronic cigarette vapours, which is certainly promising.

3. E-liquids DO NOT contain tobacco.

Tobacco smoke damages your lungs, potentially causing a host of breathing problems, lung disease and cancer. Smoking tobacco is the primary cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK. Including second hand smoke exposure, the global yearly death toll as a result of tobacco use is 6 million. Tobacco can also stain your teeth, give bad breath, diminish taste and smell, age your skin and cause gum disease. 

Comparatively, vaping uses no tobacco which makes it considerably less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

4. E-liquid consists of mostly vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycerine (PG), nicotine and flavouring. 

All of these ingredients are considered harmless. VG and PG are actually used as food additives and can be found within many products on your supermarket shelves. VG is a carbohydrate usually derived from plant oils and is used in sweeteners, pet food, beauty products and soap, whilst PG is a non-toxic ingredient found in many personal care products.

The flavourings can be both natural and artificial, used to create the exciting tastes which make each e-liquid unique.

5. E-liquids DO contain nicotine. 

Whilst vaping does not use tobacco or produce tar, e-liquid does contain nicotine. This is a highly addictive substance, however it’s not actually proven to be harmful on its own when taken in responsible amounts. It is important to note that nicotine is a toxic substance and it is possible to die from having too much nicotine in one's system, though this amount far exceeds the amount you are likely to receive if using (even the strongest) e-cigarette or vapouriser.

Furthermore, unlike cigarettes, you can control the concentration of nicotine you wish to receive when vaping - there are even e-liquids available that contain no nicotine. This is useful for those wanting to combat a nicotine addiction. You may, for instance, choose to vape with a higher dose of nicotine initially, weaning yourself off as your dependency decreases. 

Weighing It All Up

There are a range of other benefits to argue the cause that vaping, as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, is more good than bad:

  • Less smelly - vaping does not produce unpleasant smoke odour, and vapour will not cling to your hair, clothes or furniture.
  • Vaping does not produce harmful second hand smoke - fine for use around non-smokers and inside your home.
  • More economical - vaping is more cost-effective than buying cigarettes in the long-run.
  • Reduced fire hazard – as nothing is burning, vaping is safer than cigarettes in terms of fire risk. Although, as with other plug-in devices like mobile phones or hair straighteners, you should always monitor your vape whilst it is charging.
  • Less time consuming, more control - you can just take one or two hits from your vape if you feel like it, rather than having to devote 5 – 10 minutes to going outside for a cigarette.
  • A range of flavours – numerous exciting vape juice flavours are available for you to try.

If you do decide to make the switch from smoking to vaping, be sure to check out the range of products available from our online store!

See Our Trending E-Liquids!

EDGE Virginia Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Virginia Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
EDGE Blackcurrant E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Blackcurrant E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Fruity blackcurrant flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape device in a tasty pineapple flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per vape, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Bright and colourful design in a conveniently compact case
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
OK Vape Tobacco Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

OK Vape Tobacco Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Medium nicotine strength of 12mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.50 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Lost Mary BM600 Triple Mango Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Triple Mango Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape device in a tangy triple mango flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per vape, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Bright and colourful design in a conveniently compact case
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
EDGE GO E-Cigarette Device

EDGE GO E-Cigarette Device

£10.00
In stock now  In stock now
  • E-cigarette device for use with EDGE GO pods
  • Sleek and slender device is discreet to use
  • Buttonless design for easy activation
  • Petite 10.5cm length perfect for on-the-go use
EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Strawberry and lime flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
Blu MyBlu Golden Tobacco Liquidpods

Blu MyBlu Golden Tobacco Liquidpods

£5.49
In stock now  In stock now
  • Classic golden tobacco flavour
  • Available in a single 18mg nicotine strength
  • VG: 35%, PG: 65%
  • Bulk purchases available from £4.70 per pack
EDGE Strawberry Milkshake E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Strawberry Milkshake E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Strawberry milkshake flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
OK Vape Menthol High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

OK Vape Menthol High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Menthol-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • High nicotine strength of 18mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.50 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Elf Bar 600 Blueberry Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

Elf Bar 600 Blueberry Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

£4.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape pen supplied in a delicious blueberry flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per bar, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Compact, portable and drag-activated for a great vape experience 
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device