When people hear “smoking kills,” they often think of lung cancer.
And while smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, it’s actually more likely to cause heart disease.
In fact, smokers are nearly twice as likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than from lung cancer.
But what about vaping?
Vaping was originally marketed as a way to quit smoking, but research now shows it can harm your heart and overall health.
Does vaping help you quit smoking?
Vapes contain nicotine, just like cigarettes. When you inhale, nicotine quickly reaches the brain, making it highly addictive. While vaping doesn’t involve burning tobacco, it still keeps people hooked on nicotine, leading to withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve e-cigarettes as a medical tool to quit smoking. In fact, studies show that many people who start vaping end up smoking cigarettes too—a habit called “dual use.” One UK study found that 25% of people who used vapes to quit smoking ended up using both.
The best way to quit smoking is to use one of the seven FDA-approved medications, such as nicotine patches or gum, rather than switching to vaping.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
Vaping is often seen as less harmful than smoking, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. While e-cigarettes contain fewer chemicals than cigarettes, they still have harmful substances like acrolein and formaldehyde, which can damage the lungs.
There is also no evidence that vaping improves lung health for smokers. Even though quitting smoking can slow down lung damage, switching to vaping doesn’t offer the same benefits.
How does vaping affect the heart?
Although research on vaping is still new, most studies show that it harms the cardiovascular system. Vaping increases both heart rate and blood pressure, putting the body into a constant “fight or flight” mode.
Long-term use of e-cigarettes can also damage blood vessels. This happens because vaping reduces the production of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax and improves circulation. If blood flow is restricted, it increases the risk of heart disease.
Studies show that people who vape daily nearly double their risk of heart attack. The risk is even higher for those who vape and smoke cigarettes. A 2024 study also found that vaping increases the risk of heart failure by about 20%.
Quitting smoking or vaping reduces your exposure to nicotine and harmful chemicals that damage your heart. When you quit, your risk of blood clots and artery blockages decreases. If you already have heart disease, quitting lowers your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Beyond heart health, quitting also reduces the risk of developing many types of cancer.
Quitting smoking or vaping is challenging, but there are proven ways to help.
The seven FDA-approved quitting aids include nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, nasal sprays, and medications like Chantix and Wellbutrin.
If you want to quit, try reducing the number of cigarettes or vape puffs by one-third each week. You can also gradually lower the nicotine concentration in your vape. It may feel strange at first, but this method helps manage withdrawal symptoms.
Relapse is common, but don’t be discouraged. If you start smoking or vaping again, try to quit again within a few days. Most people need several attempts before they succeed.
Working with a healthcare professional can also improve your chances of quitting. People who get professional support are two to four times more likely to quit for good.
Vaping may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, but it still harms your heart. The best way to protect your health is to quit both smoking and vaping. If you’re struggling to quit, seek help from a doctor or quit-smoking program. Your heart—and your entire body—will thank you.
If you care about smoking, please read studies about smoking may increase heart disease risk by 200% and e-cigarette smoke may cause lung cancer and bladder disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the cause of weight gain after smoking cessation, and results showing smoking may cause white scars on the brain.
Source: University of Michigan.
