Harm Reduction Explained: The Role of Vaping for Adult Smokers

TL;DR

For adult smokers who switch completely, vaping is widely considered less harmful than smoking because it avoids burning tobacco and reduces exposure to toxic chemicals. But vaping is not harmless and is only recommended as a quitting or harm-reduction aid for smokers.

Vaping may be safer than smoking for adult smokers who switch completely because:

1. E-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, so they create fewer toxic chemicals.

2. There’s no tar or smoke, which benefits lungs and heart.

3. Second-hand exposure from vaping is generally lower than from cigarette smoke.

4. Vaping is not risk-free and is only recommended as a harm-reduction option for existing smokers, not for non-smokers or young people.

Introduction

As we are all aware, smoking is considerably bad for your health; the World Health Organisation reports up to seven million deaths annually¹, in addition to long-term illness and disabilities related to smoking.

Over the years, there have been many harm reduction strategies and tools developed to help smokers quit smoking.

Whether that’s going completely cold turkey, cutting down gradually or using an NRT (patches, lozenges, gum), smokers seem to be waking up to the reality of smoking's negative effects.

However, over the last decade or so, vaping has gained increased amounts of popularity, and the NHS has reported that those who make the switch to vaping are two times more likely to kick the habit².

In this blog, we will explore how vaping can be used as a harm reduction tool, how vaping compares to smoking in terms of health, with advice on how you can make the switch.

What is harm reduction in smoking?

Harm reduction in smoking is a broad term which is associated with a range of different methods used to help minimise the risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Whilst the preferred and most healthy option would be to quit fully, for some, this option is not possible. Here are some of the many ways in which an individual can reduce the harm associated with smoking, instead of a full quit.

• Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) are used to replace smoking or used in conjunction with tobacco to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. Common and popular NRTs are patches, gum, lozenges, sprays and inhalers.

• E-cigarettes (vapes)are another method of reducing the harmful effects associated with smoking. Although vapes do contain nicotine, they do not contain tar, which is the toxic component of cigarettes.

• Heated tobacco products, though these products still contain tobacco, they heat tobacco through an electric current, opposed to combustion, which helps in reducing the harmful byproducts.

• Prescription medications can also be prescribed to individuals who are trying to quit.

How does vaping reduce harm compared to smoking?

Over the years, more and more research has been carried out by Public health organisations to find out exactly how vaping compares to smoking. In 2015, Public Health England carried out their own independent report, which stated vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarettes³. Let’s have a look at how they compare, side by side.

Is vaping safer than cigarettes?

Yes, vaping is considered safer than cigarettes. Though this is the case it does not automatically mean vaping is risk-free, this is not the case.

Vaping is not a hobby that should be taken up as a form of leisure or enjoyment. It should strictly be used as a stop-smoking aid.

Over the years, health experts have carried out a wide array of research that clearly documents why vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. Here is what we have learned thus far, backed by evidence.

• Less toxic because the e-liquid is heated by an electronic device. Most of the poisonous chemicals in cigarettes are produced by combustion.

• In the short and medium term, vaping poses a smaller risk in comparison to smoking⁴.

• The risk of nicotine dependence from vaping is significantly lower than smoking cigarettes⁵, depending on the product.

• Making the switchover shows clear differences in BoPH linked to biological pathways affected by cigarette smoke (inflammation, oxidative stress, oxygen transport, genotoxicity, lipid metabolism, endothelial function, and blood clotting potential), as well as better cardiovascular and respiratory function compared with existing smokers⁶.

What factors influence vaping safety?

Many factors influence the safety of vaping, from the device being used to the quality of e-liquid. Here, we will break down exactly what these factors are and how users can stay safe when vaping.

Reputable brands vs. cheap, uncertified products

One of the most important ways of staying safe as a vaper is ensuring a product's legitimacy. This can be carried out by following the procedures.

• Ensure you are purchasing from reputable brands, and avoid purchasing from untrusted websites or markets.

• Look for official certifications on devices, CE mark (EU) or UKCA mark (UK). These certifications will ensure you are purchasing a legitimate product.

• QR Codes on products are an easy way to identify whether a product is legitimate. These can be scanned via a smartphone. If authenticated, these QR codes will typically send you to the brand's website.

• Within the UK, all vape liquids and devices need to be published with the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). All devices and e-liquids can be searched through their online portal.

• Packaging and labelling are also typically a clear giveaway when identifying a product's legitimacy. Packaging should always be tamper-evident, list the product's ingredients and follow TPD rules.

Quality of the device and battery safety

• It is important to pay attention to the material being used for the build of the device. Premium quality materials such as stainless steel and high-grade alloys are recommended to look for when choosing your kit.

• Do your research into the kits' reviews online; this will help you have a better insight into the kits' safety features, build and performance by real people.

• Look for devices with temperature control and other safety functions in tow. These features will prevent overheating and burnt coils (short circuit protection, low voltage protection, and cutoff timers) are some other safety features to look for for even more protection.

User behaviour and demographics

• People who use both cigarettes and vaping combined are at a higher risk of exposure to toxins, with worse respiratory health issues in comparison to just using a single product.

• Vapers' existing health condition or status can also determine the safety of vaping for the user in question. For example, it is strongly advised against vaping whilst pregnant as nicotine can damage the development of a fetus’s lungs and brain, as well as birth weight.

• Nicotine can also have more negative effects depending on the person's age. If someone begins consuming nicotine before the age of 25, this can harm the brain's full development.

What are the best vape products for smokers switching from cigarettes?

For people who are making the switchover, we often advise the simplest device to use to make the change as seamless and effective as possible, which would be either a prefilled pod kit or a refillable pod system.

Prefilled Pod Kit

Refillable Pod Kit

How much nicotine should a smoker start with when switching to vaping?

Your nicotine vaping strength will depend on the number of cigarettes you smoke a day. The aim is to stay off cigarettes, so you need enough nicotine to satisfy your cravings. Use this chart as a guideline to help you decide.

Are there side effects when switching from smoking to vaping?

Although vaping generally exposes users to fewer harmful chemicals than smoking, it is not risk-free. There can be some initial side effects that occur. The common side effects are:

• Dry mouth often occurs due to the two main ingredients of e-liquids, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which can both have a dehydrating effect.

• Irritation in the throat can happen from a multitude of different reasons - propylene glycol (PG), high nicotine content, or even a dry hit (burnt coil/pod).

• As the lungs clear out the mucus and debris left from smoking, coughing may present itself when you begin vaping.

• Headaches & dizziness are another side effect that may be noted when switching over, often due to vaping a too high nicotine strength.

What are real user experiences of quitting smoking with vaping?

Many real user experiences can be found online regarding firsthand experiences of making the switchover from smoking to vaping.

I myself was a smoker for seven years, I smoked around five to seven cigarettes a day. Towards the end of the seventh year, I started looking for a way out, as I began to hate the smell and detest the taste of my Myfair Superkings. I went to the GP and was prescribed a nicotine inhaler, puffing on a small plastic white stick didn’t quite do the trick.

Rewind to 2017, when I started a sales assistant job at a small store in London, testing the kits and wanting to become familiar with the flavours we sold. I quickly began to become more intrigued with using a vape as a way to quit, and honestly, I’ve never looked back. Once it stuck, it stuck.

I no longer smelled like an ashtray, my cardiovascular system began rebuilding itself, and the idea of ever smoking a cigarette again was erased.

Where to buy vaping products legally and safely

There are a few different ways you can ensure you are purchasing legitimate products. Here, we will delve into ways you can be assured you are staying legal and safe with the vaping products you choose, specifically online.

Key features of a trustworthy vaping retailer

• Age verification at checkout. When purchasing online, you will always have to verify your age; if this step is not carried out by the retailer, it is likely that the site visited is not legitimate.

• All products on the site should abide by UK vaping laws, i.e 2ml pods/tanks and only 10mls with nicotine added in for example.

• There should also be a section on the website where you can view the policies on secure payments and data protection.

• Shipping providers listed with the ability to track your order.

• Customer support should be responsive.

Red flags to watch out for

Why choose Vape Superstore?

• 10 years of industry experience, speedy customer service response times.

• Multiple delivery options available, tracked UK delivery.

• Fully compliant with TPD laws.

• Lab-tested and verified vaping products.

• Secure payments with all major credit cards and Klarna.

• Over 25,000+ 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot.

• Age verification, provided by 1Account.

How to talk to your doctor about switching to vaping

Made up your mind about making the switch and want to know what the next step forward is? We've got your back.

1. Transparency is key. Be truthful about exactly how many cigarettes you are smoking, how long you have been smoking for and disclose whether you have tried quitting before and if so, which method you previously used to attempt quitting.

2. Explain that you would like to try vaping as a method of quitting cigarettes. At this stage, pre-appointment, it's likely, research has already taken place, even in a small amount, regarding using vaping as a harm-reduction method.

3. Enquire about how vaping fits in with pre-existing health conditions. Ask how vaping affects health conditions (asthma, heart conditions). Question whether or not there are signs to look for, etc.

4. Come up with a plan with your doctor. Make a plan with your doctor and enquire about choosing the appropriate nicotine strength, monitoring health over time and in the long-term, how to eventually quit vaping and nicotine altogether.

Conclusion

Vaping is a harm-reduction option for adult smokers who can’t or don’t want to quit nicotine completely. By avoiding burning tobacco, e-cigarettes usually expose users to far fewer harmful chemicals than smoking. Vaping is still not risk-free, so the biggest health benefit comes when smokers switch completely and aim to eventually stop vaping too.

Sources

1. Annual smoking deaths  - who.int

2. Harm reduction stats - NHS.uk

3. 95% safer than cigarettes evidence review - gov.uk

4. Short and medium-term risk evidence review  - gov.uk

5. Nicotine dependence comparison - national institutes of health.gov

6. Biomarker evidence - pmscience.com

www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicitly cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.