Comparison of Side Effects of Vaping Versus Smoking

E-cigarettes or vaping is a recent development that seeks to reduce tobacco harm. Awareness and the use of e-cigarettes have significantly increased in recent years, and many smokers are gradually shifting from tobacco cigarettes to vaping as a way to cut down harmful habits. However, there is a growing need to understand the efficiency of vaping and if it is the best option for reducing smoking. This systematic review sought to compare the side effects of vaping to smoking to establish potential risks with the recent development. The study utilized publicly available research studies from various platforms in researching vaping and smoking. The method used focused on scholarly articles published in the last five years and with at least a focus on the populations in the United States and Canada. Twelve research articles were used to ascertain the comparison between the side effects of vaping and smoking on the users. The findings of the research showed that vaping is currently safer compared to smoking, and this is because of the low levels of nicotine in the e-cigarettes. However, the side effects of vaping on lungs and cardiovascular systems are similar but dependent on the rates and period of usage. The results of this review offer preliminary evidence that vaping is relatively as harmful as smoking.