Vaping 101: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

❌ Myth #1: Vaping is just as harmful as smoking

✅ Fact: Vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking.

While not risk-free, vaping exposes users to a fraction of the toxins found in cigarette smoke. Cigarettes release thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide — many of which cause cancer. These are not present in vape aerosol.

👉 If you’re switching from smoking to vaping, you’re reducing your exposure to serious health risks like cancer, heart disease, lung damage, and stroke.

❌ Myth #2: Nicotine is what causes smoking-related diseases

✅ Fact: It’s not the nicotine — it’s the smoke.

Nicotine is addictive, yes, but it doesn’t cause cancer or lung disease. The real harm comes from burning tobacco. Nicotine has actually been used safely for decades in stop-smoking aids like patches and gums.

❌ Myth #3: Vaping doesn’t help people quit smoking

✅ Fact: Vaping is one of the most effective stop-smoking tools available.

Research shows that nicotine vapes are more effective than nicotine patches or gum. They help manage cravings and mimic the hand-to-mouth action of smoking — making the transition easier for many people.

👉 Nearly two-thirds of people who use a vape with Stop Smoking Service support successfully quit.

❌ Myth #4: Vaping is just swapping one addiction for another

✅ Fact: Vaping is less harmful — and easier to taper off.

Vaping doesn’t involve combustion or tobacco, so even though you’re still getting nicotine, you’re avoiding the worst toxins from cigarettes. Once you’re ready, you can reduce your nicotine strength over time and eventually quit entirely.

❌ Myth #5: People vape more often than they smoked — that must be worse

✅ Fact: Vaping more frequently isn’t more dangerous.

Each puff on a vape delivers less nicotine and fewer toxins than a puff from a cigarette. Because vaping delivers nicotine slower, users may puff more often — but the health risk remains significantly lower.

👉 Use your vape as much as needed to stay off cigarettes.

❌ Myth #6: Vapes aren’t regulated and we don’t know what’s in them

✅ Fact: UK vape products are tightly regulated.

All nicotine vape products sold in the UK must be submitted to the MHRA and include full ingredient lists. There are strict rules on safety, labeling, and maximum nicotine strength.

Tip: Always buy from reputable UK retailers or specialist vape shops.

❌ Myth #7: Vaping causes “popcorn lung”

✅ Fact: Vaping does not cause popcorn lung.

“Popcorn lung” (bronchiolitis obliterans) was linked to inhaling diacetyl, a chemical banned in UK-regulated e-liquids. Diacetyl is actually found in cigarette smoke — but not in compliant UK vape juice.

❌ Myth #8: Secondhand vape aerosol harms people around you

✅ Fact: There’s no solid evidence of harm from secondhand vapor.

Unlike cigarette smoke, there’s no clear evidence that passive exposure to vape aerosol harms others. That said, it’s best to be respectful — especially around babies, children, and people with respiratory issues like asthma.