Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?

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1. 1

   Electronic cigarette (Wikipedia)

   WikipediaPublished Oct 3, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vape is a device that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor, often called "vaping". The atomizer is a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution called e-liquid that cools into an aerosol of tiny droplets, vapor and air. The vapor mainly comprises propylene glycol or glycerin, usually with nicotine and flavoring. Its exact composition varies, and depends on matters such as user behavior. E-cigarettes are activated by taking a puff or pressing a button. Some look like traditional cigarettes, and most kinds are reusable. Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but still has health risks, particularly for those with asthma. Limited evidence indicates that e-cigarettes are less addictive than smoking, with slower nicotine absorption rates. E-cigarettes containing nicotine are more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation, but have not been tested as rigorously as nicotine replacement therapy products.”

2. 2

   Electronic cigarette use, related health outcomes and policy interventions in the USA: a call for research to fill evidence gaps.

   Tobacco control (Nighbor et al.)Published Jul 28, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “E-cigarette use is associated with several adverse acute health outcomes; there is currently insufficient longitudinal evidence to predict chronic health outcomes. Prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth is considerable and may be associated with subsequent combustible cigarette smoking. Evidence for the health and behavioural impact of dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes is limited by imprecise measurement of exposure. Evidence on adults completely substituting combustible cigarettes for e-cigarettes is strong in clinical trials; observational studies do not show complete substitution. Finally, the effects of e-cigarette-related policy interventions to restrict e-cigarette consumption are currently limited in scope and too short-lived to draw causal inferences. Substantial evidence gaps related to the use, associated health impacts and regulation of e-cigarettes in the USA are identified, and we suggest key areas for future research to address that are crucial for informing the public health approach to e-cigarettes.”

3. 3

   Healthcare providers' beliefs about the health effects of nicotine and electronic cigarettes.

   PloS one (Jonik et al.)Published Jun 2, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “The distribution was as follows: 38.7% (n = 232) were physicians, PAs, or NPs, 27.6% (n = 165) were students, 24.4% (n = 146) were RNs, and 9.2% (n = 55) were RTs. Although 91.5% correctly identified nicotine as the chemical that makes people want to smoke, 25.9% and 42.8% incorrectly believed nicotine is the cause of cancer and CVD associated with cigarette smoking, respectively. Only 21.4% identified e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes. Those believing e-cigarettes to be less harmful than combustible cigarettes were more likely to be male (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.32-3.37), a student (OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.20-2.94), and to disagree that nicotine is the main substance that causes cancer (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.88) or CVD (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.23-2.13).ConclusionsInaccurate beliefs regarding nicotine harms persist among healthcare providers and are associated with beliefs about e-cigarette harms. Targeted education on the distinct risks of nicotine, e-cigarettes, and combustible tobacco products is crucial to improving understanding and to support evidence-based counseling on harm reduction strategies.”

4. 4

   Knowledge and attitudes toward electronic cigarettes among healthcare providers and health professional students: implications for patient counseling - A systematic review.

   Multidisciplinary respiratory medicine (Ruby)Published Jul 1, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods observational studies were included, and findings were synthesized narratively due to methodological differences across studies.ResultsFourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Although awareness was generally high (up to 79.3%), detailed knowledge was often limited. In Europe, about half of physicians rated their understanding as moderate, and 96.5% of Polish physicians considered e-cigarettes harmful, with only 11.5% supporting their use for smoking cessation. In the Middle East, fewer than 15% viewed them as safer than conventional cigarettes. Among students, 30-36% selected "don't know" when asked about safety.ConclusionConfidence in counseling varied and was typically lower among students. Media and social networks were the most common sources of information. Despite high awareness, important knowledge gaps remain, highlighting the need for structured education and clearer clinical guidance.”