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Cigarette smoking has long been a widespread practice throughout Australia and New Zealand. That has been part of social life, part of routines, part of ways to chill. But in an era when the risks of tobacco have become increasingly clear, more people are seeking better alternatives. One that has risen in popularity over the last few years is vaping.
We are still arguing about it, but for people looking to get off of smoking, it’s worth having a conversation about vaping. It’s not perfect, and it’s not without its risks, but many believe it can be a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes.
We’ll simplify in this blog. No technical jargon, just straightforward talk on the vaping vs. smoking debate and why so many people are making the switch to vape instead of smoke.
What’s the Difference Between Smoking and Vaping?
Smoking and smoking-related diseases involve the burning of tobacco, which then exposes, in this case, us to smoke that we inhale deep into our lungs. Inside that smoke are thousands of chemicals, over 70 of which are known to cause cancer. As of the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey, 11.1% of adults aged 15 and over reported daily vaping, up from 3.5% in 2019/20. This equates to approximately 480,000 daily vapers.
Vaping, by contrast, doesn’t burn anything. Instead, a contraption heats up a liquid (vape juice or e-liquid) and turns it into a vapor. This vapor is inhaled, much like smoke, but it’s not smoke.
It all boils down to what you’re ingesting. Cigarette smoke contains tar and poisonous gases. Vapour from e-liquids doesn’t include tar and typically has fewer noxious chemicals.
1. Fewer Harmful Chemicals
One of the best things about vaping is that it introduces users to much lower levels of toxic substances than smoking. When burned, traditional cigarettes produce thousands of chemicals, with many being harmful to your body, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and arsenic.
Vape liquids typically contain a few components – propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and nicotine (although no-nicotine options are available). Though they are not entirely harmless, research shows that it poses as much as 95 percent less harm than cigarette smoke.
In fact, Public Health England (now part of the UK Health Security Agency) confirmed vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. That is not a trivial discrepancy.
2. No Smoke, No Tar
Cigarette smoke doesn’t just stink, it can permanently damage your lungs. Tar is a thick, sticky residue from tobacco smoke. It plugs up your lungs and is a major cause of smoking-induced diseases, such as emphysema and lung cancer.
Vaping creates vapor, not smoke, and vapor doesn’t have tar. This does make a real difference to lung health in the long run. So a very large number of people who switch from smoking to vaping find that within a few weeks, they’re breathing easier, coughing less and have more energy.
3. Less Smell, Less Stigma
The smell is one of the most outwardly recognizable things people notice when they stop smoking cigarettes. Your hair, your clothes, your furniture, and your car are smoky. And let’s be real, it’s not a nice smell.
Vaping has much less of an odour, comparatively. Flavour Most e-liquids are flavoured, so any smell tends to be subtle and not hang around. For some, that alone is an argument in its favor — at the very least, if you’re looking to be more considerate of others, or just don’t want to smell like an ashtray.
This also tends to lessen the social stigma. Why? Because vaping is generally perceived as cleaner and more modern and, so long as you’re responsible and finesse your vaping so it doesn’t interfere with non-vapers’ space, you’re less likely to get complaints and dirty looks of this sort.
4. More Control Over Nicotine
When you smoke a cigarette, you don’t have a lot of say over how much nicotine is getting into your system. For most brands, there’s a fixed amount unless you can dilute it yourself to your streets of preparedness, and let’s be honest, who’s covering themselves homeopathically? It’s difficult to dose out or taper yourself off gradually.
Vaping allows you to select how much nicotine you want or none at all. Nicotine levels in vape juices span the spectrum, from high to zero strength. This offers users more control and a slower path to cutting down, something which is likely to be useful for those wanting to quit completely.
Many start with a level similar to what they got used to with smoking, and gradually taper down. You can do that with cigarettes.
5. Can Help with Quitting Smoking
Vaping is not officially categorized as a quit-smoking treatment in Australia or New Zealand, but many people have used it to quit smoking successfully.
In fact, studies show that vaping may work better than nicotine patches or gum for some smokers. It imitates the hand-to-mouth activity of smoking, something that many people find soothing and tough to quit. This gives him a more gradual transition and without so much stress.
It is worth pointing out, however, that the healthiest option is still quitting altogether. But for people who are not yet ready to quit consuming nicotine entirely, vaping can provide an intermediate step.
6. Fewer Health Risks for Those Around You
Cigarette secondhand smoke is also toxic to people in proximity to someone who smokes, especially children, pregnant women, and people with respiratory problems.
Since vaping generates vapor, not smoke, it does not leave the same lingering odour as smoking, and does not produce the same mix of toxic chemicals. That’s not to say it’s entirely safe for those nearby, but it’s widely seen as less hazardous than secondhand smoke. That said, it’s always polite to ask those around you before vaping in shared spaces.
7. Cheaper in the Long Run
Smoking has a cost in both health and the pocketbook. A pack-a-day habit can easily cost a consumer thousands of dollars a year. Prices are high and rising in Australia and New Zealand, where tobacco taxes are high.
Vaping has an upfront cost; you need a device and some accessories, but once you’re set up, the ongoing cost is often much, much lower. Perhaps counterintuitively, e-liquids and coils go a long way and cost a fraction of the price per use as cigarettes.
Even if you’re consuming nicotine in your vape, you’ll generally spend less total. And if you are able to cut down or quit eventually, the savings are even more significant.
8. More Choice and Personalisation
You do not have the same range of options you have with cigarettes. You’ll find some differences from brand to brand, but not a lot.
Vaping, by contrast, is all about options. You have the option when it comes to flavour at long last, you can enjoy a range of options, including tobacco, fruit, dessert or menthol. You get to choose a device that fits with your lifestyle, so whether it’s something small and discreet or something more powerful and customisable you will have that control.
This adds a personal touch to vaping and usually leads to a more enjoyable experience for the consumer. For some, it is even a hobby; its enthusiasts tinker with their devices and experiment with new flavours.
9. Less Fire Risk
Cigarettes are a significant cause of accidental house and bushland fires. A dropped or forgotten cigarette can set furniture, bedding, or dry grass ablaze in seconds.
Vapes, on the other hand, provide an open flame. Battery safety is crucial, but despite always using good chargers and following recommendations, the risk of fire is much lower.
10. Less Environmental Waste
Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items in the world, and they take years to break down. They’re harmful to wildlife, and they pollute waterways.
Vaping doesn’t create the same kind of waste. While there is some environmental impact from batteries and packaging, many devices are reusable, and waste can often be reduced or recycled. If you care about your footprint, this is something to consider.
A Quick Word on Regulations
In Australia, nicotine vaping products are regulated, and you need a prescription to legally buy them. In New Zealand, nicotine vaping products are available over the counter, but there are rules about marketing, packaging, and where you can use them.
It's important to follow the laws in your area and always buy from reputable sources. Avoid black market or unregulated products, as they can be unsafe and are often poorly made.
Conclusion
Vaping instead of smoking is not the perfect solution, but it is a step in the right direction. Vaping has some obvious advantages: less dangerous chemicals, no tar, more precise control over one’s intake of nicotine (assuming the juice is purchased in the right strength), and often no small savings. It also may be socially acceptable and better for those around you.
It’s not without risk, and the best way to protect your health is to quit both smoking and vaping. But if you’re struggling to quit smoking and want a less harmful alternative, vaping might be the way to go. Stay up to date and follow the local regulations, and consult with a health professional if you are thinking about transitioning.