Vaping Vs Smoking: Which Is Truly Safer?

Is vaping a safer alternative to smoking, or just another harmful habit in disguise?

Without extensive research, there are no definitive answers yet, experts say.

Moreover, they say, vapes are marketed as an attractive trend, especially to teens, which could get more people hooked on nicotine instead of getting them to kick the habit.

In this three-part podcast series, Vape Universe, hosted by Paul McNally, we ask if uncontrolled vaping could herald another public health threat and get views from both sides of the debate.

Brenda, a lifelong smoker, finds that her habit is becoming increasingly unacceptable, so she switches to vaping. She likes the fruity flavours and that she can vape in company without smelly after-effects. Fellow vaper Rob Fisher reckons vaping saved his life. He can walk and breathe easily again. University of Cape Town pulmonologist Richard van Zyl-Smit says vaping may be easier on the lungs, but its too early to tell about related cancers, for example. There are no long-term studies yet because vaping hasnt been around for long enough. Thats a niggling doubt in Brendas mind too as she finds herself vaping flat out.

Vapers claim e-cigarettes are safer than conventional smokes, but experts say that switching wont solve nicotine addiction and so isnt a long-term solution for quitting. Brenda is vaping day and night and realises she needs help. But there are few support programmes for smokers in SA, let alone vapers. She eventually finds help but is advised to start smoking cigarettes again. Shes horrified and feels like shes back to a place she doesnt want to be.

The vape culture is taking off with vape shops, lounges and fun cloud-chasing events. Governments began restricting e-cigarettes, as young people are increasingly targeted by big tobacco with nicotine pouches crowding the market too. Emily, now 25, describes how she was pulled in, despite never being a cigarette smoker. Has Brenda managed to overcome her lifelong nicotine addiction and ditch her vape and her new-found cigarettes?