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Vaping has skyrocketed to popularity in recent years. Some people enjoy using vapes (aka electronic cigarettes) because it’s trendy. Others because it relieves their anxiety. Some may simply try it due to their own curiosity.
There’s also a large group of people that are turning to vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. Whether you smoke right now or not, you may wonder whether vaping is right for you. Here are some of the top pros and cons you should know about before you decide to start vaping.
Pro: It’s a Safer Alternative to Smoking
If you haven’t quite been able to quit smoking, vaping may be your solution. Everyone is aware of just how harmful smoking can be. Smoking greatly increases your risk of cancer and heart disease. However, that doesn’t make it any easier to kick the habit. Quitting smoking altogether requires some serious willpower. Could vaping be an effective way to quit for good? Maybe.
Vapes are smokeless and they have zero tobacco. According to the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is actually 95% safer than smoking. There are less health risks for your lungs, and vaping doesn’t make a negative impact on your skin.
With vaping, you also have more control over how much nicotine you’re consuming. You may choose to vape with a high amount of nicotine or with none at all. This makes it easier to decrease your nicotine intake over time. Even if you start by vaping with a high nicotine level, eventually you can transition to vaping nicotine-free e-juice.
Con: It’s Expensive.
Anything that you do on a regular basis is going to add up in cost over time. Vaping is no exception. Vape pens, the juice, and any modifications you want are not necessarily expensive on their own. They come in a variety of prices. But when you add up all these expenses over time, your wallet will start taking a hit.
Pro: No Cigarette Smell
The smell of cigarettes is strong and unpleasant. It’s very common for other people to be repulsed by the scent. But it lingers. Clothing, curtains, and even the walls in your home easily absorb the scent.
With vaping, you won’t smell any smoke. Because e-juice comes in a variety of scents and “flavors,” sometimes there is a particular scent associated with vaping. However, it’s not the kind of unpleasant tobacco smell. It can even be a good scent, and it won’t linger after you’re done vaping.
Con: Lack of Studies on Long-Term Effects
Vaping has only caught on in the last decade or so. Because of this, there are limited studies on how it affects people in the long-term. Right now, many of the vaping studies in existence don’t even involve people. They only include animals, such as mice.
Because vaping is addictive, once you start, it’s difficult to stop. You may end up vaping long-term and developing risks that are yet unknown. Another thing to note is that because the nicotine levels in vapes vary so widely, the health effects of vaping long-term could also vary widely.
Pro: The Flavor Choices
Even the heaviest of smokers sometimes agree that that the taste of smoking a cigarette is unpleasant. It also gets old. There’s no variety.
Vaping offers so many options! E-juice comes in a wide variety of flavors for people who enjoy all kinds of tastes. You can branch out to as many flavors as you want, including:
- Peppermint
- Coffee
- Apple pie
- Vanilla
- Pineapple
- Cinnamon
- Menthol
- Tobacco
- And hundreds more!
Con: Social Stigma
Even though vaping is becoming more common, some people still have a very negative perception of it. Some people also have a lot of false ideas about vaping. They think it’s the same thing as smoking and don’t realize that there are options for vaping with very little and no nicotine. Some people also see vaping as a gateway to smoking instead of a way out of smoking.
This kind of negative social stigma can create other issues. For example, you may be criticized for vaping at work or in social gatherings. If you’re going to start vaping, you’re going to need thick skin.
Pro: They’re Widely Available
It isn’t hard to find vapes and e-juice. You can even purchase them online. This makes it extremely convenient to purchase your vaping supplies whenever you run out.
You might be a person who’d rather purchase their vaping supplies at a brick and mortar store so you can talk to a person and get recommendations. If you want to purchase your e-juice in person, you have options beyond vape stores. You can also find vaping supplies at convenience stores and gas stations.
If your local stores don’t have what you’re looking for, there are plenty available through online vape stores that you can browse and purchase from. A great online store we would highly recommend is our own 😉.
Con: There Are Still Some Health Risks
Even though there hasn’t been much research on the long-term effects of vaping, e-juice still carries some known health risks. Vaping can increase your blood pressure. It may even put you at greater risk for a heart attack. Despite these risks, vaping is still much safer than smoking traditional cigarettes.
Nicotine is extremely addictive. You have control over how much nicotine you put in your vape cartridge—but any amount is going to create a dependency. If you go too long without getting your nicotine fix, you will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Vaping also still affects people around you as it produces carcinogenic emissions. The bottom line is nicotine is harmful—even in small doses. So, if you’re vaping any amount of nicotine, be prepared for some risks.
Pro: Fast Relief from Anxiety
Many people choose to vape because it calms nerves. Vaping CBD specifically is one of the fastest, most effective ways to relieve intense anxiety. If you’re someone who deals with anxiety on a regular basis or even just from time to time, vaping could be your answer.
Make the Choice That’s Right for You!
Vaping isn’t for everyone. No one can decide for you whether you should start vaping. Because nicotine is addictive, this isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. Carefully weigh all the risks and benefits.