what is vaping
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What Is Vaping?
Using a device to heat an e liquid into an inhaled vapour, with no burning and no tobacco. That is why it is substantially less harmful than smoking.
Vaping is a word almost everyone has heard, but it is worth being clear about what it means. In short, vaping is the act of using an electronic device, a vape or e cigarette, to heat a liquid into an aerosol that you inhale. There is no burning and no tobacco, which is why it is substantially less harmful than smoking. This guide explains, alongside our guide on what is in a vape.
Quick answer
Vaping is using an electronic device, a vape, to heat an e liquid into an aerosol, or vapour, that you inhale. The e liquid usually contains nicotine, along with flavourings. Because there is no burning and no tobacco, vaping produces no tar or carbon monoxide, which is why it is substantially less harmful than smoking, though not risk free, and is intended for adult smokers.
What vaping is
Vaping means inhaling the aerosol, often called vapour, produced by a vape or e cigarette. The device heats an e liquid, usually a blend of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and nicotine, using a coil powered by a battery, turning it into a vapour you breathe in. Unlike a cigarette, nothing is burned and there is no tobacco involved.
What vaping is
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| What you do | Inhale aerosol from a vape |
| How | A coil heats e liquid into vapour |
| Contains | Usually nicotine and flavourings |
| Burning? | No |
| Tobacco? | No |
Why it differs from smoking
The crucial difference from smoking is that vaping does not burn anything. Cigarettes burn tobacco, producing tar, carbon monoxide and many toxic chemicals that cause most of smoking''s serious harm. A vape simply heats a liquid, so there is no tar or carbon monoxide, which is why UK public health bodies regard vaping as substantially less harmful than smoking, though it is not risk free and is for adult smokers, not non smokers.
Vaping is using a device to heat an e liquid into an inhaled vapour, with no burning and no tobacco. That is why it is substantially less harmful than smoking, though not risk free.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Vaping is the same as smoking | No, vaping heats a liquid; smoking burns tobacco, producing tar and carbon monoxide. |
| Vaping involves tobacco | No, vapes contain e liquid, not tobacco. |
| Vaping is completely safe | It is far less harmful than smoking, but not risk free. |
| Vaping is for everyone | It is intended for adult smokers and vapers, not non smokers. |
Frequently asked questions
What is vaping?
Using an electronic device, a vape, to heat an e liquid into an aerosol you inhale; the liquid usually contains nicotine and flavourings.
Does vaping involve burning or tobacco?
No, a vape heats a liquid rather than burning anything, and it contains no tobacco.
Is vaping the same as smoking?
No, because there is no burning or tobacco, vaping produces no tar or carbon monoxide and is far less harmful.
Is vaping safe?
It is substantially less harmful than smoking, but not risk free, and it usually contains addictive nicotine.
Who is vaping for?
Adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes; non smokers are advised not to start.
The bottom line
Vaping is the act of using an electronic device, a vape or e cigarette, to heat an e liquid into an aerosol, or vapour, that you inhale, where the liquid usually contains nicotine and flavourings. Because the device heats rather than burns, and contains no tobacco, vaping produces no tar or carbon monoxide, which is why UK public health bodies regard it as substantially less harmful than smoking. It is not risk free, though, and is intended for adult smokers and vapers, not non smokers.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product or rule, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.
Key things to remember
- Using a device to heat e liquid into inhaled vapour
- No burning and no tobacco
- Usually contains nicotine and flavourings
- Substantially less harmful than smoking
- For adult smokers and vapers, not non smokers
Vaping versus smoking, in short
The simplest way to grasp vaping is to contrast it with smoking. Smoking burns tobacco, creating smoke full of tar and toxic chemicals. Vaping heats a liquid into a vapour, with no combustion and no tobacco, so the harmful products of burning are not created. That single difference is why the two are so far apart in harm terms.
It does not make vaping harmless, most e liquids contain addictive nicotine and the long term effects are still being studied, but for a smoker, switching completely is a recognised way to greatly reduce harm.
Vaping versus smoking
| Aspect | Vaping | Smoking |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Heats e liquid | Burns tobacco |
| Tar | No | Yes |
| Carbon monoxide | No | Yes |
| Nicotine | Usually | Yes |
| Relative harm | Much lower | Highest |
A few more questions
Is vaping a way to quit smoking?
Many people switch to vaping to stop smoking; it is far less harmful, and a stop smoking service can advise on doing so effectively.
Do and don’t
Do
- Switch completely if you are a smoker
- See vaping as much less harmful than smoking
- Choose a strength that manages cravings
- Buy UK regulated products
Try not to
- Treat vaping as completely safe
- Keep smoking as well as vaping
- Start vaping if you are a non smoker
- Use illegal or unregulated products
The different kinds of vape
Although the principle is the same, vapes come in several forms. The simplest, and most popular with beginners, are prefilled pod kits, where you click in a ready filled pod. Refillable pod kits and pen style devices let you fill your own e liquid, while larger, higher power devices suit experienced vapers who want bigger clouds.
For someone switching from smoking, a simple pod kit with a cigarette like draw is usually the easiest starting point. Whatever the device, the basics of vaping stay the same, a battery heats e liquid into a vapour you inhale.
Common types of vape
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Prefilled pod kit | Beginners and switchers |
| Refillable pod kit | Flavour choice and value |
| Pen style | Simple, everyday use |
| Higher power device | Experienced vapers |
| All | Heat e liquid into vapour |
More questions answered
Is vaping the same as smoking a cigarette?
No, vaping heats a liquid with no burning or tobacco, so it produces no tar or carbon monoxide and is far less harmful.
Can you vape without nicotine?
Yes, nicotine free e liquids are available, though most switching smokers use a strength that manages cravings.
A couple more questions
Does vaping produce smoke?
No, it produces an aerosol or vapour, not smoke; there is no burning, so no tar or carbon monoxide.
Is the vapour just water?
No, it is an aerosol of the e liquid, not pure water vapour, but it contains far fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke.
Why do people vape?
Most adult vapers do so as a less harmful alternative to smoking; vaping is not intended for non smokers.
And finally
Is vaping addictive?
Most e liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive, so vaping can be; you can choose lower strengths or nicotine free over time.
Can vaping help me stop smoking?
Many people switch completely to vaping to stop smoking; it is far less harmful, and a stop smoking service can help.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Need a hand?
Browse our full library of plain English vaping guides, or get in touch with the team if you have a question we have not answered yet.