The debate about whether vapes are a better alternative to smoking cigarettes or not has been the talk of the town for ages. With vapes becoming one of the trendiest things in the modern world, many smokers find it as one of the best alternatives to cigarettes.

But is vaping actually a safer option than smoking? 

We’ll discuss their differences in depth and explore various aspects of each to determine which will win the debate. 

1. Composition

Cigarettes

• Tobacco: The chief ingredient of Cigarettes is Tobacco, which, when burnt, releases toxins. 
• Additives: Often, to enhance the flavours and taste of cigarettes, many preservatives and flavourings are added, which is the cherry on the top for addictives. 

Vapes

• E-liquids typically contain propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavourings. Since there is no combustion, no toxins are produced. 
• Chemical Variation: While some e-liquids may contain some potentially harmful substances, compared to cigarettes, those substances are almost negligible. 

2. Passive Smoking

Cigarettes

• Secondhand Smoke: Contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. These toxins are causing multiple types of diseases ranging from asthma to cancers. 
• Vulnerability:  Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and medically unfit people are more prone to diseases caused by passive smoking. Children living in households where at least one person is a smoker have higher chances than others to have 
• Asthma 
• Chest infections
• Meningitis 
• Ear infections 
• Coughs and colds 

Vapes

• Aerosol: Aerosol, often known as vapour, contains fewer harmful substances than cigarettes. However, its presence can not be ignored. It does not release tobacco toxins, hence being less harmful comparatively. 
• Public Perception: The long-term effects of passive vaping are still under research. 

3. Manufacturing

Cigarettes

• Cultivation: Farming involves growing tobacco plants, which require pesticides and often lead to harmful environmental conditions. According to WHO, Tobacco farming leads to ecological damage, including water pollution, soil degradation, and deforestation.
• Processing: The tobacco is cured, blended, and carefully rolled into cigarettes. The whole process is regulated in the factories to ensure product safety. 

Vapes

• E-liquid Production: they’re manufactured in controlled environments. The ingredients are mixed and bottled with quality control. Quality control measures can vary significantly by manufacturer. 
• Device Assembly: Vaping devices are manufactured with different components, including batteries and heating elements, often known as the cold of the vape. 

4. Health Risks

Cigarettes

• Serious Health Issues: Smoking is well-researched and is found to be linked with multiple types of cancers, heart diseases, strokes, and multiple other respiratory diseases. 
• Addiction: The rapid delivery of cigarette smoking leads to higher levels of addiction. Since there’s no control over the levels,  

Vapes

• Health Considerations: Although generally viewed as less harmful, vaping is not risk-free. Vaping risks do exist, but comparatively,  it is estimated to be 95% less harmful than cigarettes. 
• Regulation: Vaping has become a trend, opening many businesses, but some areas might lack rules. The known brands adhere to strict regulations, and quality and safety are never compromised. 

5. Nicotine Delivery

Cigarettes

• Rapid Absorption: The combustion process of smoking makes it more addictive as the nicotine directly adds into the bloodstream. 
• Fixed Dosage: It's easier to quantify the amount of nicotine intake, as all th cigarettes contain the same amount. However, addictions lead to having multiple cigarettes and unhealthy amounts of nicotine. 

Vapes

• Variable Nicotine Levels: The users get the option to choose the levels of nicotine with the nicotine shots. They can increase or be reduced. Hence, it helps in the gradual reduction of nicotine intake. 
• Absorption Rate: Vapes do deliver the nicotine. While vaping delivers nicotine proficiently, the rate of absorption might vary depending on the e-liquid and the device you’re using. 

6. Environmental Impact

Cigarettes

• Litter: Cigarette butts are Cigarette butts are a substantial source of pollution and take years to decompose. Moreover, tobacco farming can not be put under the rug as it contributes a lot to soil degradation and deforestation. 
• Waste: The production process involves substantial waste, including chemicals and packaging.

Vapes

• Device Waste: Disposable vapes and e-liquid containers contribute to plastic and electronic waste. For that reason, disposable vapes are expected to be banned soon. 
• Environmental Concerns: Vapes are a new item in the market, and research is still ongoing to learn about their long-term environmental impact. 

Final Thoughts 

Wrapping up the conclusions from all the above discussion, it is evident that vapes have won the debate. Vapes are relatively safe for you, the people around you, and your environment. 

Choosing vapes over cigarettes should be your go-to as it is safe and not dull, it gives nicotine levels to choose from, and it also has multiple e-liquids.