Experts compare vaping and smoking side effects as 'neither' is goal
Is vaping really better for you than smoking, or are they both as bad as one another?
It feels like you can't walk for five minutes down the street without having a blast of fruity-flavoured smoke blown into your face, but while many opt to vape over smoking cigarettes, it begs the question of whether vaping is actually better for you.
This No Smoking Day (Wednesday, March 13), experts have shared that vaping seems to pose less of a risk than cigarettes do, but they've been keen to highlight that there is "no long-term data" regarding the safety of vaping, so cutting out both is the best solution.
Dr Claire Merrifield, a GP at Selph said: "Although there are several risks associated with vaping, it does significantly reduce your exposure to the chemicals in cigarette smoke that causes cancer, lung disease and diseases of the heart and circulation, such as heart attack and stroke. It is therefore useful as a tool to help current smokers stop smoking cigarettes, which are thought to be more harmful than vaping.
"In recent years, there has been an increasing trend amongst young people who did not smoke in the first place to take up vaping, which is where many of the risks lie. As vaping has not been around for very long, we have a very limited understanding of the long-term risks of vaping. We do know that vaping can cause inflammation in the lung leading to lung conditions like pneumonia. It can also increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
"Current vapers are more likely to develop asthma and existing asthma can be exacerbated by vaping. Vapes can also contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can be particularly dangerous if consumed by children or young people. Nicotine can cause harm to the still-developing adolescent brain, particularly in areas that control attention, learning, mood and behavioural control.
"As nicotine is a stimulant, it can cause anxiety or make anxiety worse which is particularly important given the recent rise of mental health issues in adolescents. Animal models of vaping have shown that puberty is delayed in female rats exposed to vape fumes, although we don't know if this translates to humans, it is of concern.
"Vaping is a valuable tool to improve the health of current smokers. Given the unknown effects and potential for harm in a younger, non-smoking population, we should support any measures taken to reduce their use in children and young people."
Data from Pion has shown that a whopping 40% of Gen Z in the UK use a vaping or e-cigarette device and 21% of Gen Z vape after never previously using tobacco products. Also, 32% of Gen Z vape and smoke. Pion referred to vaping as "a big trend amongst students."
Markus Lindblad, vaping expert from Haypp said: "Vaping is always less harmful than smoking. Even though vaping is not completely risk-free, a review published by Public Health England in 2015 found that e-cigarettes are estimated to be around 95% less harmful than smoking.
"Unlike secondhand smoking, there is currently no evidence so far to support the fact that vaping causes harm to those around them. If there was, it would be extremely low. Although there isn't any evidence, it's recommended, for extra precaution, not to vape around babies, children and those with respiratory conditions."
Naheed Ali warns that the best thing for your health, however, is to not smoke, or vape. "As a physician, I have to emphasise that the absolute best thing for your health is to avoid smoking or vaping altogether. Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals that wreak havoc on nearly every organ in the body", he warned.
"While e-cigarettes generally have fewer toxins, they still deliver addictive nicotine and their long-term effects are not yet fully known. Quitting all forms of tobacco and nicotine is ideal. That said if someone is currently smoking, switching completely to vaping likely reduces harm compared to continuing to smoke - but it's not risk-free. E-cigs still contain nicotine, flavourings, and other substances that may have negative health impacts. Vaping should be viewed as a stepping stone to quitting nicotine entirely, not a permanent substitute."
Dr Nighat Arif, NHS GP, said: "It's never too late to stop smoking and there's a lot of help available for those looking to quit. You can search 'smokefree' and visit the Better Health Quit Smoking website which has a range of support and advice, including a local stop-smoking services look-up tool.
"Smoking is still the biggest preventable cause of death in England and giving up smoking really is the best thing you can do for your health, but I know it's not always easy. It's always better to quit with support than to do it alone. This is why No Smoking Day is a great time to try and stop smoking as people will be joining others across the country on their quitting journey."
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
