Vaping: A Route to Quitting or Lowering the Entry Barrier?

Tobacco consumption is evolving. In the last ten years, the monopoly of cigarettes has been challenged and arguably replaced by e-cigs and vaping. But is this a good thing? Or does it simply offer a new way to consume tobacco? In this article, we’re comparing both sides of the debate and discussing whether vaping offers a route to quitting or if it has merely lowered the entry barrier. 

Vaping as a Route to Quitting

It’s easy to see why vaping became popular. The exotic flavours, catchy branding and increased social acceptance compared to cigarettes all contributed towards more people swapping cigarettes for vapes. 

But there’s also the fact that vaping is seen as a safer alternative to smoking. Many people still believe that vaping can be harmful, but most would agree that it doesn’t pose the same risk as traditional cigarettes due to the absence of substances such as tar.

As a result, vaping is seen as a good starting point for those who want to quit smoking. It still offers the same instant relief from cravings but in a less harmful way. The next step is to switch from traditional vapes to tobacco-free vapes or nicopods before quitting completely.

Vaping also allows smokers to control their nicotine dose, with vaping liquids ranging in strength all the way down to being nicotine-free. This controlled dosage also lends itself to those who are using vapes to wean themselves off tobacco slowly. In previous years, quitting cigarettes commonly required smokers to go ‘cold turkey’, which is harder. 

Vaping as a Lower Entry Barrier

Many would argue that while vaping has become appealing to smokers, it has also become appealing to non-smokers. The improved flavour and taste eliminate common drawbacks of smoking and, coupled with the convenience of devices, it’s easy to see why even non-smokers are attracted to vapes.

We must also credit marketing teams who have done a great job of making vapes look attractive. We see vaping brands advertised at major sporting events, and similar alternatives like snus are trusted even by high-level athletes.

Perhaps the biggest issue with this is that vaping has become more appealing to younger audiences. Alarmingly, over 10% of 11-15 year olds have tried vaping, a figure that would be far lower if we were to compare with cigarettes. Obviously, these people aren’t turning to vaping as a quitting mechanism but are attracted to the flavours and taste, and subsequently running the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.

Final Thoughts

It’s not as easy as simply deciding whether vaping is good or bad. There are pros and cons of vaping, and some would argue the same applies to traditional cigarettes. It’s important to analyse it from different perspectives. For example, to a lifelong smoker who has tried and failed to stop smoking, vaping may finally offer a solution that works. On the flip side, a young 13-year-old may feel pressured by their peers to try tobacco. And if the tobacco comes in vape form rather than cigarette form, it may appear less dangerous and more appealing.