WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU SWITCH FROM SMOKING TO VAPING

Vaping is a reliable alternative to smoking. People who want to quit smoking often switch to vaping instead of cutting off cold turkey. It controls the amount of nicotine coming into your body, lowering it slowly over time.

Here are some of the main differences between vaping and smoking, and why switching to vaping may be a better choice:

1. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VAPING AND SMOKING?

CHEMICAL

With smoking, the nicotine levels are usually fixed. The amount of nicotine you get depends on how much you smoke.

With vaping, the nicotine content is listed on the packaging of the e-liquid you choose to buy, and you can vary your nicotine intake by selecting different kinds of e-liquids.

PHYSICAL

Smoking is detrimental to your health. The many toxins created by burning tobacco such as tar can lead to various smoking-related illnesses and issues, such as: 

a. Lung cancer

b. Heart disease

c. Stroke 

d. Aneurysm

Of course, vaping is not completely risk-free, but according to Public Health England, it is significantly less harmful than smoking because you aren't exposed to as many toxins. It's also essential to recognize that, as of yet, vape pens are not FDA-certified. There simply isn't enough data yet to confirm the long-term effects of vaping, but that is because of the relative newness of vape pens. However, authorities at Public Health England have indicated that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than smoking. 

MECHANICAL

Every time you inhale from a vape, a sensor inside the pen triggers a vaporizer that heats the e-liquid. The liquid is turned into vapor and inhaled by the user.

2. IS VAPING LESS HARMFUL THAN SMOKING?

E-cigarette aerosol doesn't contain the same chemicals as tobacco smoke.

Based on the available evidence, neither is completely risk-free. However, according to numerous studies, vaping has been acknowledged to be much less harmful.

According to the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is 95% safer than smoking because there is no ash, tar, or combustion involved.

Another reason vaping is more reliable is that you control the amount of nicotine that you inhale. You can choose your dosage depending on how much you puff, and even buy e-liquid containing no nicotine at all.

Vaping also does not produce noxious odors. Smoking isn't allowed in every setting, and it can be considered rude to smoke when other people are around because of the smell. Vaping can help you avoid the strong odor of smoke.

3. WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU STOP SMOKING AND START VAPING?

Neither smoking nor vaping is good for you, and you'll get many health benefits from quitting both. However, according to research by the Stroke Association in the United Kingdom, making the switch from smoking to vaping is still better for your overall health for the following reasons:

a. Reduced risk of stroke: Smoking makes you twice as likely to pass away if you suffer a stroke. It also significantly increases your chances of having a stroke.

b. Reduced risk of lung cancer: Smoking is responsible for 84% of deaths from lung cancer and 83% of deaths from COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

c. Reduced risk of mouth cancer: Cigarette smoke can cause cancers of the lips, throat, voice box, gullet, and tongue. You can decrease your chances of developing these types of cancer by quitting smoking and switching to vaping.

d. Reduced risk of blood clots: Cigarette smoke affects your blood circulation and even thickens your blood, which puts you at an increased risk of blood clots. When you quit smoking, your blood pressure will return to a healthy level.

e. Reduced risk of heart diseases: Heart attacks and cerebrovascular diseases are a serious concern if you are a smoker. When you quit smoking, your risk of developing heart problems reduces significantly.

f. Reduced risk of stomach cancer and ulcers: Smokers have an increased chance of developing cancer of the stomach or ulcers.

Many people ask what happens when you quit smoking. When you make the switch, your body will need to flush out all of those toxins that it's used to having in its system. 

As a result of that process, you may experience the following symptoms:

COUGHING

Depending on how much you smoke, you may have already developed a cough.

When you cough, your body is removing toxins from the tar in cigarettes. Vaping doesn't produce tar, but it may worsen your cough for a period because your lungs will be irritable while all the toxins are being expelled from your system.

HEADACHES, SHAKES & IRRITABILITY

Nicotine withdrawal is a common cause of headaches, shakes, and irritability. Many people notice higher levels of anxiety and a worsened mood as a result of quitting.

The good news is that it doesn't last forever. Vaping helps combat irritability because you are still getting nicotine from the e-liquid. The best way to quit is to take in less nicotine slowly.

DIZZINESS

Smoking constricts your body's blood circulation, preventing adequate oxygen from being delivered to your brain. Vaping doesn't do this, so you may start to notice light-headedness or dizziness when you make the switch.

You should only feel dizzy for a few days after you switch. If you continue to feel dizzy for more than a few days, buy e-liquid with less nicotine.

4. SOCIAL BENEFITS OF SWITCHING FROM SMOKING TO VAPING

What is the difference between vaping and smoking? Besides the numerous health benefits of quitting smoking and starting vaping, there are also many lifestyle benefits:

When it comes to your friends and family, smoking can seem like a bad habit that they'd rather not be around. Secondhand smoke can also pose health risks to the people around you.

After quitting, you and the people around you won't have to deal with the repercussions of secondhand smoke . You will also notice that any lingering odor or tobacco will dissipate and leave your home smelling clean and refreshed.

The difference between the two habits is one that you can't ignore, and making the switch is definitely worth it.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It's essential that you understand the differences between smoking and vaping, especially if you are considering quitting smoking and picking up vaping as an alternative. There are many chemical, physical, and mechanical differences between smoking and vaping, but vaping has been increasingly recognised by more authorities as the less harmful option of the two.

Vaping is one of the easiest ways to quit smoking because it allows you to stop by gradually reducing your nicotine intake. Although you'll experience some side effects as a result of the switch, it's well worth it when you consider just how damaging smoking is to your health.

It won't be an easy journey, but it will be one of the most fulfilling lifestyle changes that you make.