Is Vaping or NRT Better to Quit Smoking?
|
Time to read 2 min
Is it better to use a vape device to quit smoking or do traditional Nicotine Replacement Therapies work best? Explored.
Are you thinking of quitting smoking? There is an overwhelming tide of misinformation out there regarding vape devices. One of those vaping myths is that a vape device is worse for your lungs than smoking is. However, this NHS backed article should help break the stigma and make you more comfortable in choosing the vape device over other forms of NRT.
Is Vaping More Effective Than NRT?
According to the National Health Service’s Better Health Campaign in Britain, who have conducted both studies and trials upon the matter: you are roughly 50% more likely to remain smoke-free if you use a vape device instead of other NRTs.
What is NRT?
Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) work by taking the nicotine dose a smoker would get in a cigarette and putting it elsewhere. Traditional forms of nicotine replacement therapy include:
- Nicotine patches
- Inhalers
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine lozenges
- Nasal Sprays
Scientists believe that the action of simulating smoking by having something to hold in your hand and that you can inhale works better than other forms of nicotine delivery.
Vape devices also offer the option to eliminate nicotine use completely through lowering the dose of nicotine daily via weaker vape juices. Eventually, an ex-smoker can whittle themselves off nicotine altogether and down to nicotine-free e-liquids.
Is It Easier to Quit Smoking or Vaping?
Whether or not it is easier to quit smoking than it is to quit vaping depends on the person. By and large, it is easier to quit vaping because you have greater control over the amount of nicotine you use.
If you stick to cigarettes – as hard to quite as heroin – you will find that you have a favourite brand. That brand will always be exactly the same. There will be no fluctuation in nicotine levels other than your own ability to smoke more or less.
In most instances, the vape wins.
Is NRT as Harmful as Smoking?
Absolutely not.
Nicotine Replacement Therapies keep the nicotine, which is an addictive toxin, but discard all other chemical aspects of a cigarette. From tar to plutonium, there are thousands upon thousands less chemicals in your nicotine gum or your vape juice than there are in cigarettes.
Given that one of the ingredients in cigarettes is a radioactive material, you are far, far, far safer with any NRT. We cannot iterate this enough.
Is Vaping as Harmful as Smoking?
Vapes are safer than smoking, period. The estimated amount safer is roughly 95%. This could be due to the dramatic reduction in chemical composition of vape juice versus cigarettes, but it is also due to the vape’s ability to stop you smoking entirely. Vapes are drastically less harmful than cigarettes are.
What is the Most Successful Smoking Cessation Plan?
You should talk to your chemist who can refer you to the local smoking cessation group. This group will help you open up about cigarette addiction and explore which options for quitting work best for you.
In the meantime, try switching out that 20-pack of cigarettes for a new vape device and watch your lung health, finances, and relationships improve. Let’s face it: it’s far better to have a house which smells like blueberry than it is to have a house which smells like stale cigarette smoke.
