Vaping vs. smoking: Which is safer?

Both smoking and vaping have side effects and risks. The long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are not yet fully understood, but the science indicates they are not a safe alternative to smoking.

Vaping involves breathing in an aerosol that contains several chemicals, including nicotine and flavoring, through an e-cigarette or other device. Vaping is growing in popularity among teenagers.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source, many people believe that vaping is safer than smoking, but this is not necessarily the case. Mounting evidence suggests that vaping is dangerous.

Neither smoking nor vaping is beneficial to human health. Based on the available evidence, smoking appears more harmful than vaping. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe.

Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicalsTrusted Source. Hundreds of these chemicals are toxic, and around 70 cause cancer. The AHATrusted Source notes that while vaping liquids contain fewer contaminants than cigarettes, they are not entirely safe.