Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?

The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes or vapes, especially among young people, is a worrying trend.

Although smoking bans are displayed in almost all public spaces, the number of smokers continues to rise. According to data from the 2023 Health Survey, the number of vape users in Indonesia has increased tenfold.

Indonesia has the highest number of vape users in the world. Around 25% of the population has used this type of cigarette. Many people assume that vaping is a transitional tool to quit smoking because they consider it safer than tobacco cigarettes.

What is a vape?

A vape is a device that heats the liquid to produce vapor. This liquid typically contains nicotine, flavorings (such as fruit or sweet aromas), and other chemicals.

Vapes are battery-operated and resemble cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, or USB drives.

Both smoking and vaping have side effects and risks. The long-term health effects of vaping are not unknown, but research suggests it is not a safe alternative to smoking.

Health risks of vaping

Many people consider vaping safer than smoking. While it’s true that vape aerosol doesn’t contain all of the toxins found in tobacco smoke, vaping is still unsafe.

Here are some reasons why:

1. Contains nicotine

Nicotine is the main ingredient in both tobacco cigarettes and vapes. It can increase blood pressure and adrenaline, raising heart rate and putting you at risk for a heart attack.

Nicotine is highly addictive and can impair the brain development in teens, children, and fetuses of pregnant women who vape. Some vapes expose users to more nicotine than traditional cigarettes.

Nicotine activates receptors in the brain, causing the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that creates a sense of pleasure. This dopamine release contributes to nicotine addiction. Over time, as nicotine levels decrease, the brain craves more dopamine, leading to withdrawal symptoms and increased dependency.

2. Contains harmful compounds

In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette vapor contains potentially harmful substances, such as diacetyl (a chemical linked to serious lung disease), cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. Vapers inhale these toxic contaminants, and non-vapers are at risk of indirect exposure. 

3. Toxicity of vaping liquids

The liquids used in vaping can harm the body in unintended ways. The market offers hundreds of liquids in over 17,000 flavors. Therefore, communal vaping results expose users to thousands of different chemical combinations and doses. Both children and adults can be poisoned by ingesting, inhaling, or absorbing the liquids through their skin or eyes.

4. Lung injuries

Vaping has been linked to thousands of serious lung injuries, some resulting in death. Although the exact cause remains unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding e-cigarettes. In February 2020, the CDC confirmed 2,807 cases of lung injury associated with vaping.

One specific condition, "popcorn lung," (bronchiolitis obliterans), results from inhaling diacetyl. This chemical scars the alveoli and thickens or narrows the airways.

Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which are similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In the long term, vaping can be risky to health, including

• lungs damage
• release of free radicals, which can promote cancer development
• weakening of the immune system
• delayed brain development in fetuses, children, and adolescents

**

Tobacco cigarettes and vapes have similar negative impacts on the body, including lung damage and increased risk of cancer.

Although vaping can reduce the quantity of tar and other chemicals inhaled, it can still increase nicotine dependence.

If you wish to quit smoking, consult a doctor to get the most appropriate and safe method for your health. Visit the GWS Medika Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta, to start your healthy steps.