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!

OK Vape E-Cigarette K1 Replacement Battery with Refill Cartridges

OK Vape E-Cigarette K1 Replacement Battery with Refill Cartridges

£9.48
In stock now  In stock now
  • Replacement battery and pack of cartridges
  • For the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Available with tobacco or menthol cartridges
  • Purchase one, two, or three batteries
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Lost Mary Tappo Peach Ice Vape Refill Pods (Pack of 2)

Lost Mary Tappo Peach Ice Vape Refill Pods (Pack of 2)

£5.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Pack of 2 peach ice-flavoured refill pods
  • Designed for use with the Lost Mary Tappo Vapes
  • Compact and user-friendly design for ease of use
  • Latest QUAQ mesh coils enhance flavour with each puff
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
Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Provides a consistent vapour in a rich golden tobacco flavour
  • Ceramic pod technology for a smooth vaping experience
  • Now provides roughly 25% more puffs per pod
  • Magnetic lock for fast and secure refills
Blu 2.0 Blueberry Ice Liquidpods (9mg)

Blu 2.0 Blueberry Ice Liquidpods (9mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Provides a consistent vapour in a tasty blueberry ice flavour
  • Ceramic pod technology for a smooth vaping experience
  • Now provides roughly 25% more puffs per pod
  • Magnetic lock for fast and secure refills
EDGE Forest Fruits E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Forest Fruits E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Blueberry and strawberry flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
OK Vape E-Cigarette Nicotine-Free Menthol Refill Cartridges (0mg)

OK Vape E-Cigarette Nicotine-Free Menthol Refill Cartridges (0mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Menthol flavour refill cartridges for the OK Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Each pack contains five cartridges and lasts for the equivalent of 125 traditional cigarettes
  • Nicotine-free with 0mg of nicotine in each cartridge
  • Bulk offers available starting at £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
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 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
Elf Bar 600 ElfTurbo Ice (Elfbull Ice) Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

Elf Bar 600 ElfTurbo Ice (Elfbull Ice) Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

£4.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape pen supplied in an authentic energy drink 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
EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Fruit and menthol flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK