A few preconceived ideas concerning vaping and its effects on our health

A few preconceived ideas concerning vaping and its effects on our health

Preconceived ideas have a hard time when it comes to vaping. In this article we’ll take a look at the most widespread ones when it comes to health. The studies are numerous, contradictory, and sometimes controversial. Let's not forget that some e-cigarettes detractors want to avoid proving that e-cigs play a major role in smoking cessation.

Idea #1 « Vaping is dangerous »

Absolutely not : when normally used, there’s a consensus accepting that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than tobacco ! The real danger comes from misusing the equipment and not following the precautions. For example, by not refilling and taking a dry hit. When the coil is no longer properly soaked, it burns (= combustion !), which causes aldehydes emissions. Generally, aldehydes are only found at minimal levels. In dry hit conditions, they increase strongly. However, the burnt, acrid taste is immediately noticeable, the coil should then be changed to avoid problems.

Idea #2 « Vaping is as dangerous or even more dangerous than cigarettes »

That’s not true ! It’s generally the opposite thesis that’s defended : cigarettes generate combustion causing smoke, which is the main danger of traditional cigarettes. This combustion contains and releases some 7'000 substances, including many toxic and carcinogenic substances (carbon monoxide responsible for myocardial infarction, arteritis or stroke, tars which can cause lung, airways, and bladder cancers and many more, fine particles attacking the bronchi and causing heart disease and serious respiratory insufficiency to name a few).


The e-cigarette vapor comes from propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which are non-toxic products frequently used in the food and pharmaceutical industries like aerosols or cough syrups, toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc..

Idea #3 « Vaping increases cancer and heart attack risks »

Wrong. Nowadays, ingredients used to make e-liquids are strictly controlled and, serious and recognized brands no longer use carcinogenic products. It’s true that at the beginning, e-liquids manufacturers used ingredients such as diacetyl for example for its buttery taste which has since been banned. However, the levels found were 10 times lower than those found in cigarettes !

Since then, manufacturers have stopped using this substance, especially in Europe with the TPD.

The main components have few or no carcinogens compared to traditional cigarettes. There would be 250 times less risk of developing cancer with e-cigarettes than with tobacco !

A study also shows that the concentration of carcinogenic products decreased within one to two weeks by 57-64% in the bodies of subjects who replaced tobacco with vaping.

As for cardiovascular risks, the data are not very precise for now, but experts tend to agree that the risk is much lower than with traditional cigarettes.

Idea #4 « Passive vaping is as dangerous as passive smoking »

Wrong again ! A study shows that there’s no significant difference in the concentration of harmful particles between homes that vape and those that don’t. In other words, the air is the same in homes that vape and those that don’t, and that’s absolutely not the case in homes that smoke (cigarette / cigar) or those that burn incense !

Indeed, a recent study shows that e-cigarettes vapor evaporates in just a few seconds. This is a far cry from the 30-45 minutes it takes traditional cigarette smoke to dissipate. Even without a ventilation system, the air recovers its initial quality within 4 to 8 seconds after vaping.

Idea #5 « E-cigarettes don’t help to quit smoking »

This is not true, and it’s been proven ! A study of 4262 people shows that 88% of the participants quit smoking thanks to and with an e-cigarette. The main motivations of the subjects studied were to stop smoking, to save money, to reduce smoking and health problems.

The chances to quit smoking would be 60% higher than with other means. The key to success comes from the nicotine dose delivered, the gesture and the habits, but also the freedom to choose devices that are constantly improving.

According to an INPES study, e-cigs are perceived as a help to quit smoking.

Other studies also support this thesis, whose links are provided in this article.

Idea #6 « Vaping replaces one addiction with another »

It’s now proven that e-cigarettes are an excellent way to reduce or even stop smoking for good. In fact, we replace cigarettes with similar effects devices, that are extremely less harmful. Findings also show that most vapers gradually reduce the nicotine amount.

Careful however not to mistake a habit and an addiction ! An addiction is when our body asks for a product it’s used to, we feel a need, a desire (sugar can be an addiction). An addiction is a habit, but with harmful consequences such as health, morale and even relationships deterioration.

We've seen many people use e-cigarettes as a temporary fix to achieve total cessation over time. Some have indeed replaced one by the other, in a form of "substitution", but by consuming a product that’s much less harmful and less expensive.

Idea #7 « With vaping, you’ll get your breathing, taste and smell back »

True. Vaping is a real ally and a smoking cessation help. Some will tell you that it doesn’t help with their senses, others will tell you that it does. Opinions are mixed, but on average, people agree that their sense of taste and smell are back after the first days of quitting. Breathing and energy within a few weeks if they’ve totally given up smoking. If you vape and smoke, it reduces and delays these improvements.

Idea #8 « We don't have any studies on the subject »

There are a lot of studies on the subject and have been for several years. The only reservation is in the long-term use effects. Currently, more and more serious scientific studies are being carried out. Recognized doctors and pulmonologists, like Dr. Etter in Geneva or Professor Dautzenberg in Paris are dedicated to analysing the benefits of e-cigarettes and their publications expand our current knowledge.

Right now we can say with no doubts that :

·       E-cigarettes are drastically less dangerous than traditional cigarettes.

·       There’s no passive vaping like for passive smoking, which means no danger for the people around you.

·       E-liquids components are precisely known, hence the importance of ensuring the origin and quality of the products purchased.

·       In the last 10 years, no diseases have been related to e-cigarettes.

Idea #9 « We don't have enough hindsight to know if it's dangerous in the long term. »

This is partially true. E-cigarettes have made an appearance in the Swiss media in 2013, but some users have been vaping since 2008. So, we already have a medium-term hindsight, not to mention the increasing number of studies. The goal here is not to prove that e-cigs are totally harmless, but that they’re less dangerous and harmful than traditional cigarettes. So why prevent the use of an alternative that’s exceedingly less toxic and that has proven to be an effective means of withdrawal for those who wish to stop smoking or reduce their intake ?