Is vaping worse than smoking? Risks and benefits 

Overview

Vaping has sparked major debate across Australia. With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among young Australians and former smokers, many are asking: Is vaping really safer than smoking or simply another risk? To help navigate this question, we’ve referred to expert insights from Dr Ammar, who emphasises the importance of balancing risks and benefits.

Smoking vs vaping: What’s the difference?

Here’s how each one works and why it matters for your health:

• Smoking: Tobacco is burned, releasing tar, carbon monoxide, and thousands of harmful chemicals that enter your lungs and bloodstream.

• Vaping: Instead of burning tobacco, a liquid (often called e-liquid or vape juice) that contains nicotine, flavourings, and other substances is heated to create vapour. You inhale the vapour rather than smoke. There’s no burning, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.

While vaping is often marked as a “safer” alternative to smoking, the research is still developing and “safer” doesn’t mean “safe.”

What’s in a cigarette vs what’s in a vape?

Substance	Cigarettes	Vape (e-cigarettes)
Nicotine	Yes (naturally present in tobacco)	Yes (added to many e-liquids)
Tar	Yes, contributes to lung damage	No (because no combustion)
Carbon monoxide	Yes, reduces oxygen flow in the bloodstream	No (or very little compared to smoking)
Flavouring chemicals	Minimal additional flavouring	Yes, it can irritate the lungs
Heavy metals	Yes, from combustion and tobacco flavouring	Sometimes from coils or device parts

Dr Ammar notes: “While vaping avoids tar and smoke, it introduces new chemical exposures we still don’t fully understand.”

Health risks of smoking

Smoking continues to be one of the most harmful habits Australians can avoid. Key risks include:

• Lung cancer and emphysema

• Heart disease and stroke

• Chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Poor circulation and increased risk of blood clots

• Premature ageing of skin

• Second-hand smoke risks to others

Health risks of vaping

While vaping eliminates smoke and tar, it is not harmless. Some key risks include:

• Nicotine addiction: Vaping still allows nicotine into your system, which is highly addictive and can make long-term quitting more difficult.

• Lung irritation: Some users may experience cough, throat irritation, or shortness of breath, often called “vaper’s cough.”

• Unknown long-term effects: Because vaping is relatively new, the full health impact of long-term vaping is unclear.

• Chemical exposure: Vapour can contain substances like formaldehyde, propylene glycol, flavouring chemicals, and trace metals.

• Heart and blood pressure impact: Nicotine continues to affect the heart and circulation, putting extra strain on the body.

Dr Ammar emphasises: “Vaping isn’t harmless — it’s just less immediately toxic than smoking.”

Are there any benefits to vaping?

Yes, potentially for some Australians, vaping may act as a harm-reduction tool, especially if it helps them quit smoking entirely. Possible benefits include:

• Fewer toxins than tobacco smoke

• Reduced exposure for bystanders

• May support smoking cessation when used under medical supervision

Note: Vaping should be seen as a step toward quitting altogether, not a long-term solution.

What does the evidence say?

According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)¹ and the Australian Government Department of Health²:

• Vapes are not harmless and should not be used for recreation.

• While evidence shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free.

• E-cigarettes continue to rise. Daily smoking has dropped to about 8.3% in 2022-23, while around 7.0% of Australians now vape.

In short, if you smoke, vaping might be a less harmful alternative, but the best option is to quit nicotine entirely.

How Hola Health can help

With Hola Health’s online doctors, you can get safe, evidence-based support to quit smoking or vaping:

• Telehealth consultations with online doctors for nicotine dependence and quitting strategies.

• Access to prescription nicotine vapes (if clinically appropriate).

• Smoking cessation plans and counselling referrals.

• Bulk-billed appointments for eligible Australians

Book a telehealth consultation today — fast, private, and from home.

Conclusion

Both smoking and vaping have health risks. While vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it is far from harmless. The healthiest choice is to quit both entirely. If you’re thinking of changing your habit, whether by quitting smoking or using vaping as a step, seek professional help rather than managing it on your own. Your lungs can start healing within weeks of quitting — the best time to start is today.

FAQs

Is vaping really safer than smoking?

For most smokers, switching to vaping may lower exposure to harmful chemicals from burning tobacco, but “safer” doesn’t mean “safe.” Vaping still carries health risks.

Can vaping help me quit cigarettes completely?

In some cases, yes, especially when used under a doctor’s guidance and as part of a plan to quit. Ultimately, the aim should be to stop using nicotine altogether.

Are nicotine-free vapes safe?

Not necessarily. Even vapes marketed as “nicotine-free” can still contain nicotine or other harmful substances.

What are the long-term side effects of vaping?

The long-term effects are still unclear. Short-term effects may include throat or lung irritation, nicotine addiction, and exposure to harmful chemicals.

How can Hola Health doctors help with smoking cessation?

Online doctors can review your situation, provide advice, offer prescriptions and refer you to specialist support, such as dietitians or counsellors, to support your quit journey.