Vaping vs. Smoking: Which is Better?

Vaping has become extremely popular in recent years. We've even been seeing celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Louis-Dreyfus vaping while they are out around town or even at award ceremonies. We see vaping lounges popping up everywhere, and many sites are available that sell the vaping pens, liquids, and other accessories.

Yet, despite how popular vaping is, you may still have questions about it. Is it really better than just smoking cigarettes? Here are some things that are helpful to know:

Cost

You might think that smoking cigarettes is more cost-effective since a pack only costs a few bucks. Yet a pack will likely only last you a day -- and maybe even less. Add up the cost day after day over the years, and you are financing the cost of a house, your child's college education, and more.

Vaping may seem more expensive at first because the vaporizers cost more money, as do the liquids that give the vapor flavor. However, the vaporizer lasts a long time - months or even years - as do the liquids. You will end up spending far less money on vaping in the long run than you would on smoking cigarettes.

Options

Smoking cigarettes doesn't give you a lot of options. There are many brands, but they all have the same tobacco flavor. Some are flavored with menthol, and some give you a stronger taste by removing the filter or providing a weaker filter. But the basic experience is the same.

With vaping, you get a wide range of options. You can choose from flavors like pina colada or mocha latte. The best e liquid site has dozens of flavor options, and you can even order sample boxes so that you can try out a range and discover new favorites. You even get options with the kind of vaporizer you order and other accessories. You can get one that looks like a traditional cigarette, or you can get more stylish options. You can even modify your accessories to get more out of them.

Impact on Health

Many people wish that they could quit smoking because they know it would be better for their health, but smoking is addictive. The health risks of smoking have been well-documented, and the only way to reduce them is to quit -- however hard that will be.

Many have claimed that vaping is healthier than smoking, but those claims are not substantiated. What vaping can do is give you more control over your nicotine intake. The liquids have varying nicotine amounts, so you can choose smaller amounts, helping you to wean off the addictive substance. Getting the smaller amount won't be as shocking to your system as quitting, so it will be a bit easier on you if your aim is to quit smoking.

Social Restrictions

Smoking has been widely banned in restaurants, bars, and even outdoor spaces. Businesses and public agencies have taken action to reduce the risk of second-hand smoke and to eliminate what many find to be a public nuisance.

So far, no such widespread bans against vaping have been enacted. You may still find a restaurant or two that restrict vaping indoors, but most places will allow you to enjoy it without restriction. The vapors do not have the same odor as smoking, and they do not present a health risk. Therefore, most businesses do not consider vaping a nuisance, nor do most people you are likely to encounter in public. 

Ultimately, whether you think that smoking or vaping is better is going to come down to personal preference. Heavy tobacco use is linked to cancer and a whole host of other unwelcome health conditions. While the long-term health consequences are still unknown, vaping presents a number of benefits that you should consider if you need an alternative to smoking, including lower overall costs, increased options for enjoyment, greater control over nicotine levels, and less restriction in social and public places. If you aren't sure about vaping, you could always visit a local lounge to try out some liquids and see how you like it. You could then order a sample box online and start experimenting with your new hobby.