What's Worse in Cigarettes? Why You Should Switch to Vaping
And is nicotine really the problem?

Smoking - we all know it's bad for us, right? But just how bad? And what makes it so harmful? While many smokers are aware of the health risks, vaping has emerged as an alternative that's hard to ignore. Debates rage on, but the truth is worth exploring if you’re considering making the switch or just trying to understand the differences.
This post breaks it all down for you — the science behind smoking, the harmful elements that make cigarettes so toxic, how vaping compares, and why it might just be the life-changing alternative you’ve been waiting for.
The Science Behind Smoking
Before we talk solutions, let's look at the problem itself. Cigarettes may seem like simple sticks of tobacco, but the truth is far more complex — and sinister.
What’s in a Cigarette?
Cigarettes are loaded with over 7,000 chemicals, and more than 70 of these are known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). The big bad trio you’ve probably heard of are:
• Tar – Coats your lungs and causes respiratory issues, including heightened risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Carbon monoxide – Starves your organs of oxygen, which isn’t great when you want to, you know, live.
• Nicotine – The sneaky culprit that gets you hooked, although it’s not necessarily what harms you the most. More on that later.
Smoking’s Toll on the Body
The damage caused by smoking is a full-body affair. It’s not just about lungs — though a smoker's cough is bad enough. Here’s how smoking wreaks havoc:
• Respiratory System: Chronic conditions like bronchitis and emphysema become your not-so-friendly companions.
• Cardiovascular System: Smoking increases blood pressure, shrinks blood vessels, and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Immune System: Smoking leaves you more vulnerable to infections, as your immune response weakens.
It’s no exaggeration to say smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death worldwide.
Understanding Vaping
Now, onto E-cigarettes — the tech-savvy newcomer to the scene. Vaping reproduces the experience of smoking by heating a liquid (usually containing nicotine) and turning it into vapour that you inhale. It’s been marketed as a safer option, but what’s the truth?
The Anatomy of an E-Cigarette
Vapes are made up of a few key components:
• Battery – Powers the device.
• E-liquid – A mix of nicotine, flavourings, and vegetable glycerin & propylene glycol.
• Heating element – Turns the liquid into vapour.
Unlike cigarettes, there’s no combustion (burning), meaning you avoid many of the harmful by-products of smoke.

How Healthy is Vaping?
While not entirely risk-free, vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England. Without tar and carbon monoxide in the mix, many of the immediate dangers to your lungs and heart are dramatically reduced. However, it’s important to remain cautious and well-informed, as the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied.
The Harmful Elements of Smoking
You’ve heard the phrase “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”… well, in cigarettes, where there’s smoke, there’s poison. Here are the nastiest offenders:
• Tar: Builds up in your lungs, leading to chronic respiratory illness and lung cancer.
• Carbon Monoxide: Displaces oxygen in the bloodstream, which, fun fact, is kind of essential for staying alive.
• Formaldehyde: Yes, the stuff used to preserve bodies. This is what you’re inhaling.
• Ammonia: Commonly found in cleaning products — what’s it doing in cigarettes? Increasing nicotine absorption, naturally.
Add to this deadly cocktail arsenic, lead, and benzene, and you’re basically puffing a toxic soup with every drag.
Benefits of Switching to Vaping
Here’s the good news — if swapping cigarettes for vapes has crossed your mind, there’s a growing pile of evidence to cheer you on.
Fewer Harmful Chemicals
By eliminating combustion, vaping eliminates many of the toxic chemicals traditionally found in cigarettes. No tar, no carbon monoxide — meaning less damage to your lungs and heart.
Improved Respiratory Health
Smokers who switch to vaping often report easier breathing and fewer episodes of coughing and wheezing after just a few weeks.
Better Taste and Smell
Say goodbye to the lingering ashtray scent and burnt taste. Vaping comes in countless flavours, from fruity favourites to coffee infusions — though you’ll want to stick to regulated products for safety.
Cost Savings
Smoking can burn a serious hole in your wallet. Vaping kits have an upfront cost, but long term, they’re often far more economical than a pack-a-day habit.
Addressing Concerns About Vaping
Sure, vaping has its critics, but let's unpack some of the most common worries.
Is Vaping Addictive?
Nicotine is addictive, no matter how you consume it. However, because vaping allows you to control your nicotine levels, you can gradually reduce your intake over time — something much harder to do with cigarettes.
Safety of E-Liquids
Most reputable vaping brands produce E-liquids that are rigorously tested for safety. That said, counterfeit or unregulated products can be dangerous, so always buy from trusted sources.
Can Vaping Be a Gateway?
While it’s true vaping could appeal to non-smokers due to enticing flavours or sleek designs, research suggests the vast majority of vapers are ex-smokers seeking a less harmful alternative.
The Same Thing? Cigarettes, Nicotine, and Vaping
Nicotine often gets unfairly blamed as the “villain” behind smoking harm. The truth? It’s not the nicotine that kills you; it’s everything else in the smoke. While nicotine is addictive, what makes cigarettes deadly are substances like tar, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
Vaping offers a way to isolate nicotine without the dangerous extras. However, non-smokers should still avoid picking up a nicotine vaping habit — addiction doesn’t discriminate, after all. This goes for any nicotine-containing product such as patches or gum - these products are designed with smokers in mind to help them quit cigarettes.
Switch from Smoking to a Better Alternative
Smoking is often described as a hard habit to break — and with good reason. But choosing vaping as an alternative can be the first big step away from the harmful effects of cigarettes. By making the switch, you reduce exposure to thousands of toxic chemicals, improve your health, and potentially save money in the process.
It’s never too late to start making choices that support a healthier lifestyle. Is vaping the future for kicking the problem with smoking? For many, it looks like the least harmful way forward.