Vaping vs Smoking: Why Many Adults Are Switching to Vaping

Admin

Published on 22 Jan, 2023

Over the past few years, vaping has grown rapidly across Nairobi and major towns in Kenya. Many adult smokers are now choosing vaping as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, driven by convenience, flavour variety, and greater control over nicotine intake.

While vaping and smoking may appear similar, they are fundamentally different. Understanding these differences can help adults make informed choices about nicotine use.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping involves inhaling vapour produced by heating a liquid known as e-liquid or vape juice. This liquid may contain nicotine, flavourings, and base ingredients such as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). Some vape liquids are also available without nicotine.

Unlike cigarettes, vaping does not involve burning tobacco. Instead, a battery-powered device heats the liquid to create vapour, which is then inhaled.

Modern vaping devices in Kenya include:

These options allow users to choose different puff counts, nicotine strengths, and flavours.

What Happens When You Smoke Cigarettes?

Traditional cigarettes contain tobacco rolled in paper and treated with various chemical additives. When a cigarette is lit, the tobacco burns, producing smoke that contains thousands of chemicals.

Many of these substances , including tar and carbon monoxide, are linked to long-term health risks. The combustion process is the main reason cigarette smoking is considered harmful.

Vaping vs Smoking: Key Differences

1. Combustion vs Vapour

  • Smoking: Burns tobacco, producing smoke.
  • Vaping: Heats liquid, producing vapour.

Because vaping does not involve combustion, vapour generally contains fewer harmful by-products than cigarette smoke.

2. Nicotine Control

Cigarettes deliver a fixed nicotine level designed to maximize dependence. Vaping products, however, offer flexible nicotine strengths, including:

This allows adult users in Kenya to control or gradually reduce their nicotine intake if they choose.

3. Flavour Variety

Cigarettes offer limited flavour options. Vaping provides access to hundreds of flavours, including:

  • Fruits
  • Menthol and ice blends
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Tobacco-inspired flavours

This variety is one of the biggest reasons many Nairobi vapers prefer vaping over smoking.

Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?

Vaping is not risk-free, but research and public health bodies widely agree that it is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. Vaping does not produce tar or carbon monoxide — two major contributors to smoking-related harm.

For adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, vaping is often viewed as a harm-reduction alternative, not a medical treatment or lifestyle product for non-smokers.

Why Disposable Vapes Are Popular in Nairobi

Disposable vapes have become especially popular in Nairobi due to their simplicity and portability. They are:

  • Ready to use straight out of the box
  • Available with high puff counts (5,000–30,000+ puffs)
  • Maintenance-free (no coils or refilling)
  • Offered in both 2% and 5% nicotine strengths
  • Often rechargeable on models with 5,000 puffs and above

This makes them ideal for travel, busy lifestyles, and first-time vapers.

Choosing Quality Vape Products in Kenya

If you are considering switching from smoking to vaping, it is important to:

  • Buy genuine, authentic devices
  • Choose reputable brands
  • Avoid counterfeit products
  • Purchase from trusted vape shops in Nairobi

Using low-quality or fake products can lead to poor performance and safety risks.

Final Thoughts: Making an Informed Choice

Smoking and vaping both involve nicotine, but they are not the same. The method of delivery, the substances inhaled, and the level of control are significantly different.

For adult smokers in Kenya, vaping may offer a less harmful alternative to continued smoking. However, vaping is strictly for adults aged 18+ and is not recommended for non-smokers or pregnant individuals.

Making informed decisions and choosing reliable products is key to a safer vaping experience.

Admin

Published on 22 Jan, 2023