Which is more harmful, vape or traditional cigarettes?

Charles

Ask industry experts，Which is more harmful, vape or traditional cigarettes?

Collin

Quick summary for reference:
Chemical Engineering Expertise, Quick Answer (Please ignore if repetitive):
Vapes are less harmful.
The reduced harm of vapes comes with conditions:
Condition A: The e-liquid must be from a reputable manufacturer. Counterfeit products have unknown ingredients.
Condition B: You must know how to use it properly, similar to smoking a cigar—hold it in your mouth but do not inhale it into your lungs or nose.
Condition C: Drink plenty of water, as vapes can cause dry mouth. Drinking water helps mitigate this minor irritation to the mucous membranes in your mouth or nose.
Vape harm includes:
Minor irritation to the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, airways, and lungs.
Fragments of cotton, ceramic, carbon residues, and heavy metals like nickel from the heating coil.
Nicotine and its salts are addictive substances.
Inhalation of chemical-laden vapor into the lungs can cause indeterminate harm.
Second-hand vapor poses a risk to others.
Environmental pollution from discarded vape waste.
Main ingredients of e-liquids:
Food or medical-grade propylene glycol
Food-grade vegetable glycerin
Food-grade colorants or flavorings
Edible flavorings
This highlights the importance of using products from reputable manufacturers.

Emma

As a licensed vape practitioner, I believe both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes have their own risks, but the types and degrees of these risks may differ. Traditional cigarettes contain numerous carcinogens, such as nicotine, benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. These substances can lead to cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other health issues.

E-cigarettes, on the other hand, contain ingredients like nicotine, propylene glycol, and glycerin, which also pose certain risks. However, there is currently not enough long-term research to confirm the full impact of vapes on human health. Nicotine is a major component of vape and is highly addictive, potentially leading to dependence on e-cigarettes. It may also affect the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Propylene glycol and glycerin are commonly used solvents in vapes, primarily to convert nicotine and other substances into a vapor for inhalation. However, inhaling these substances may also pose potential risks. When heated at high temperatures, propylene glycol and glycerin can produce harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and acrolein, which may damage the respiratory system.