Vaping is something that is often misunderstood by the media and the public. The newness of the vaping world might be one of the major reasons why there is so much misinformation out there regarding what vaping actually is. You might hear people make statements that paint vaping as the lesser of two evils in relation to cigarettes. However, taking a closer look at the facts behind what vaporizers actually are may prove that participating in vaping doesn’t involve any evils at all. The biggest misconception that fans of vaping have to deal with is that vaping is the same as smoking. However, putting the two in the same category is like pairing apples with orange. Vaporizers and cigarettes are two entirely different things. Much of the confusion regarding the two can probably be tied to the fact that many vape pens do resemble cigarettes. However, what is inside a vape pen is far more important than its exterior appearance. It’s time to clear the air when it comes to vaping versus smoking. There are many categories to take into consideration when comparing cigarettes and vaporizers. Here are the basic categories to take a closer look at when it comes to digging deep and learning about vaping vs smoking:
- Dangers
- Ingredients
- Cost
- The nicotine factor
- The social factor
Vape Pens Aren’t Electronic Cigarettes
It is important to bring up an important distinction before beginning the case on how vaporizing differs from smoking. There are actually products on the market that are categorized as electronic cigarettes. It should be noted that electronic cigarettes are not interchangeable with vaping pens. Electronic cigarettes are manufactured by tobacco companies. These devices, which are commonly found at gas stations and convenience stores, feature cartridges that must be refilled by users regularly. One thing to note about electronic cigarettes is that they offer limited flavors. This is an important distinction when you consider that e-liquids used with vaporizers are known for their wide assortment of flavors. Of course, a vaporizer is a different animal entirely when you compare it against an electronic cigarette. Vaping pens feature atomizers that produce vapor. They are found almost exclusively at vaporizer stores and specialty shops.
Dangers
Have you heard people dismiss the vaping fad as just another way for smokers to consume dangerous and deadly contents? There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the dangers of smoking somehow being tied together with vaping. The biggest distinction between smoking and vaping has to do with the contents that are consumed when a person does one or the other. The public is generally pretty informed when it comes to all of the dangerous ingredients that make cigarettes so unhealthy. Tobacco cigarettes expose users to high amounts of tar and other carcinogens. In fact, there are over 70 ingredients in cigarettes that have been linked to various cancers. It is estimated that six million people die each year from complications and illnesses linked to smoking. How does this tie into vaping? The simple answer is that it doesn’t. There has never been a study that’s proven that vaping causes any life-threatening illnesses or diseases.
Ingredients
One only has to compare the ingredient lists of vaporizers and cigarettes to understand that the two are truly worlds apart. The e-liquids that are used in vaporizers typically contain around four ingredients. By contrast, a standard cigarette typically contains multiple ingredients for every single letter of the alphabet.
What are people consuming when they use a vaporizer that’s been filled with a typical brand of e-liquid. You can expect the following ingredients:
- Glycerin from vegetables
- Propylene glycol
- Nicotine
- Food-grade flavoring
The situation is much different once you start talking about the ingredients in a cigarette. In fact, the entire list of ingredients is far too long to place in any one list. However, even just a small sampling of ingredients that focuses on the most dangerous ones is enough to demonstrate how different cigarettes and vaporizers are. Many of the common ingredients in cigarettes have been used to do everything from kill rats to create nuclear warheads. Most cigarettes contain potent quantities of the following ingredients:
- Ammonia
- Arsenic
- Benzene
- Butane/lighter fluid
- Carbon monoxide
- Cadmium
- Cyanide
- DDT
- Lead
- Formaldehyde
- Nickel
- Polonium
Cost
One of the things that has made vaping an attractive alternative for many people who 
smoke is the cost factor. Vaping is significantly less expensive than purchasing cigarettes when all is said and done. The upfront cost of purchasing a vaporizer will typically be between $100 and $250. The costs of e-liquids for use with a vaporizer are quite low when compared to the cost of purchasing several packs of cigarettes each week. A person could easily save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year simply switching from smoking to vaping.
The Nicotine Factor
Nicotine is something that immediately makes flags go up. We’ve all learned about how dangerous and addictive nicotine is. In fact, many people who are curious about vaporizers don’t bother to pursue their curiosity because they assume that the process will involve using some amount of nicotine. However, this doesn’t exactly line up with the reality of the situation. Most e-liquid brands actually have very low to zero nicotine strength.
The Social Factor
Most people can smell a smoker from a mile away. The reality of smoking is that it has some pretty potent effects on a person’s presence and hygiene. Smokers face the unfortunate consequences of living with yellow teeth, bad breath and stained fingers. What can be even worse than what smoking does to your physical state is what it can do to your home and car. The pungent smell of cigarette smoke has a way of seeping into fabrics like nothing else can. The unfortunate thing is that most smokers actually don’t notice the smell after a while. 
However, that doesn’t stop friends, colleagues and acquaintances from being repulsed every time they step inside the home or car of a person who smokes regularly. Vaping doesn’t cause any of these unfortunate conditions. In fact, vaporizers actually omit a pleasant smell that people enjoy. Most people describe the scent of vapors as being like vanilla, candy or fruit. The other big difference between smoking and vaping when it comes to a person’s social life is that only one practice is allowed in public places. Smoking is banned in and near just about every type of venue you can think of. In addition, there is now a very strong social stigma attached to anyone who steps outside to enjoy a smoking break. You can look forward to dirty looks and comments whenever you’re outdoors blowing some smoke into the air. Vaping is accepted in many public places because it doesn’t create a strong plume of smoke or omit an offensive odor the way cigarettes do.
Smoking vs Vaping Video
Is vaping really healthier than smoking?
The Final Verdict on Vaping and Smoking
The vaping world and the smoking world actually exist in two different universes. It is important to know the difference between vaporizers and cigarettes because the reality is that the general public and the media are quite confused. This can lead to issues with people being incorrectly told that they can’t vape in public. It can also cause people to shy away from the possibility of enjoying a satisfying and therapeutic vaping experience. One of the reasons why devotees of vaping are so enthusiastic about the practice is because it offers a gentle, enjoyable way to unleash the power of a variety of herbs that would otherwise go unused and unnoticed by the general population. What can be done to ensure that vaping doesn’t get dismissed as just another risky habit that should be preached against and banned from public places? The answer all comes down to sharing information regarding the vast difference between vaping and smoking.
Difference Between Smoking and Vaping
