Vaping is a means to help a smoker quit using traditional cigarettes and switch to an alternative which poses less risk, vaping should not be a recreational hobby and it should be noted that most e cigarette devices contain nicotine which is addictive. Whilst the evolution of e cigarettes has been a revelation for millions of now ex smokers on a worldwide scale, the negative aspects of vaping must be faced head on to ensure that we can continue to have access to e cigarette products. Some of these negative aspects include black market products which are often untested and unregulated and the underage use of e cigarettes. 

 

Below we will discuss some of the biggest questions surrounding the e cigarette sector and use own objective to counteract them with the help of published material and studies.

1) Vaping is just as harmful if not more harmful than smoking:

Numerous studies have debunked this theory, one of the most in depth studies of its kind conducted by Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at Kings College London found that vaping products leads to a substantial reduction in exposure to intoxicants which promote cancer & lung/cardiovascular disease[1]. The study compared the level of exposure to potentially harmful substances in a wide range of vaping products with cigarettes, the results were overwhelmingly skewed to show that vaping was a significantly  less riskier option however not risk free.

2) Nicotine is addictive and harmful to health:

Nicotine is indeed an addictive substance however studies have shown it is relatively harmless to your health, its the way that it is induced into your body which can carry negative health impacts. Nicotine is an organic compound which is an alkaloid of tobacco plants and was first synthesised in 1904[2], it is the overwhelming ingredient in traditional cigarettes/cigars and is highly addictive when ingested in this combustion form. 

The nicotine in vaping products can vary up to a maximum of 20MG per ML, this is the addictive element in e cigarettes and whilst it is a much less riskier alternative to smoking cigarettes, it is still an addictive practise. 

3) Vaping is just as bad as smoking:

  This is perhaps one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to comparing the use of e cigarettes and smoking, the fact is that millions of people in the UK have made this switch and their health has improved as a direct result. Smoking carries a wrath of possible health issues due to the toxins produced from the smoke, 7000 toxins in total with 250 of these proven to be harmful to health. The use of e cigarettes eliminates the ingestion of tar and carbon monoxide and whilst there is evidence of the same potentially harmful chemicals produced by e cigarettes, these are at a significantly lower level. 

4) The vaping sector is a grey area and most products are not regulated

The e cigarette industry is heavily regulated by the medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency(MHRA) to ensure that all products are tested and certified before being allowed to be sold. This includes monitoring the amount of nicotine in e liquid and the size of tank in vape devices as well as the ingredients used in e liquids. A more in depth look at the regulations of e cigarettes in the UK can be found here. 

Whenever a product gains popularity it is inevitable that a black market will arise and this has certainly been the case with e cigarettes. Most if not all of these unregulated black market devices have not been tested and can pose a serious risk to your health so it is paramount to only purchase from verified e cigarette vendors. 

 

5) Vaping causes popcorn lung:

Another common misconception is that 'popcorn lung' can be a direct result of vaping. Popcorn lung is medically known as bronchiolitis obliterans and was a common illness for workers at factories which used a chemical called 'Diacetyl' to flavour popcorn. Diacetyl is a banned ingredient with regards to e cigarette products in the UK, it is however present in cigarette smoke. 

There has not been a single confirm case of popcorn lung as a result of vaping on a worldwide scale[3]

 

6) Second hand vapour can be harmful for people in your vicinity:

Second hand smoke(Also known as passive smoking) is a by product of smoking cigarette where the smoke produced is breathed in by nearby people which when done on a regular basis can be detrimental to their health. Second hand smoke is usually invisible and can be odourless so even if you are careful, you could be harming the people around you. 

The vapour emitted from e cigarettes does not product smoke and therefore is not harmful to people in your vicinity according to tests and studies. Having said this, it is not responsible to vape around kids or pregnant women and this should be avoided at all costs. 

7) Vaping is a gateway for the youth to eventually start smoking

Underage vaping is as big a problem as underage smoking however e cigarettes are certainly more appealing due to their bright packaging and enticing flavours. The mainstream introduction of disposables was the watershed moment for youth vaping, they became available in 99% convenience stores so naturally their easy accessibility provided an easy way to begin vaping. Averages taken in 2023 & 2024 estimated that roughly 20% of 11 - 17 year olds have tried vaping or actively use e cigarettes[4]

The disposable ban of summer 2025 will inevitably reduce the amount of underage vapers and a more stringent approach to the underage sale of e cigarettes is currently underway in the UK. It is unknown whether underage e cigarette users would have eventually smoked cigarettes regardless of their e cigarette use however you could argue that vaping whilst underage will only act to promote further nicotine use in the future.

Vaping is and should always be a means to quit smoking, they should not be considered a hobby or for recreational use. The responsible use and vetted sales of vaping devices can minimise underage use, various measures are in place such as an advertising ban and stringent ID checks online and in stores however there will always be an element of underage use. The e cigarette market is under constant scrutiny to eradicate underage use yet rogue retailers will always exist, education regarding the risks involved with vaping is vital to reduce underage use and a collective effort should be made on a nationwide scale to ensure that only suitable persons use e cigarettes.