How is vaping different from smoking?

The main difference between vaping and smoking is in their mechanism for releasing nicotine; smoking burns tobacco to release the substance, while vaping heats a tobacco-derived product, flavouring, and other chemicals to air nicotine into the respiratory system. 

What is Smoking?

Smoking describes the act of combusting plant material, traditionally tobacco, to inhale fumes that contain a psychoactive substance—in tobacco, this is nicotine. Hashish or marijuana joints are also smoked.

Tobacco is rolled into cigarettes and cigars, or loaded into pipes or bongs, and burned during smoking. The act itself constitutes tasting the smoke itself before exhaling it; any gas that remains inevitably enters the bloodstream.

Inhalation quickly causes short-term mental stimulation and calmness. Prolonged use, however, is linked to chronic anxiety, tension and depression. Due to nicotine being an addictive substance, smoking commonly becomes a habit among users.

Smoking plays host to a large suite of health hazards, with many focused on deleterious effects to the respiratory system. The risk of developing cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low reproductive health are all associated with smokers.

What is Vaping?

Vaping is touted as a modern innovation to smoking. Instead of using a cigarette, cigar or pipe, users employ a vaporizer or “vape pen” to heat a liquid solution that contains nicotine, flavouring and other substances to the point of evaporation.

The resultant vapour, which typically gives off a distinct scent based on the type of flavouring used, is inhaled to simulate the sensation of smoking. 

Vape devices used to resemble cigarettes, but have since branched out into other forms, such as tanks, mods, and pods. 

The basic plan of a vape pen includes a cartridge for storing its liquid, an atomizer responsible for heating the solution, a sensor for activation, and a battery. Hence, vaporizers need to be charged before use.

Differences Between Smoking and Vaping

Delivery of Nicotine

In smoking, tobacco is combusted using flame to release its naturally-occurring nicotine contents as a gas, which is then inhaled and absorbed by the bloodstream. The flame can be provided by a matchstick or lighter, implements commonly found with smokers.

Vaporizers use no actual flame. Instead, the atomizer is capable of rapidly heating to 200-250 °C (390-480 °F). The heat quickly evaporates the solution into an aerosol that is inhaled in a similar fashion to smoking. 

Product Types

The usual product purchased for smoking comes in the form of cigars, cigarettes, or pipes.

• Cigars are bundles of dried tobacco or other plant materials rolled in a dried leaf wrapper. The size and shape, or a vitola of a cigar, spans a usual range of 14-19 cm long and 15-20 mm wide.
• Cigarettes are smaller and thinner than cigars, and contain proportionately less tobacco product. While commercially-produced versions exist, roll-your owns, which are handmade, are also common.
• Pipes are seen as more archaic smoking devices, consisting of a small tobacco receptacle attached to a thin stem and its mouthpiece. 

Vaporizers are divided into four generations:

• Cig-a-likes are the earliest e-cig type and closely resemble actual cigarettes. As entry-level vaporizers, they facilitate the transition from smoking to vaping.
• Vape pens have a superior battery and heating action compared to cig-a-likes. It is advertised for beginners, and most units limit hits to below 10 seconds for safety.
• Vape mods are third-generation vaporizers that produce bigger clouds, are better protected against short circuits, and a sub-ohm tank for higher-nicotine hits.
• Pod mods are currently the latest class of vaporizers, combining the low-wattage sustainability of a cig-a-like with most of the vape mod’s modern features.

Gas Produced

Tobacco smoke is mostly composed of incompletely-combusted carbon particles and a host of toxic chemicals. At least 20% of its contents is water vapour. Hazardous components include:

• Hydrogen cyanide
• Carbon monoxide
• Benzene
• Nicotine (reduced with nicotine filters)
• Formaldehyde
• Benzopyrene
• Toluene

The fumes produced by a vaporizer, in contrast, figure as a more desirable feature in vaping than in smoking. Vape enthusiasts can modify their units to release large clouds for their perceived aesthetic and social value.

Typical components of vape aerosols are:

• Arsenic
• Chloroform
• Formaldehyde
• Glycerin or propylene glycol
• E-liquid flavoring
• Nicotine
• Heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chromium, lead, barium)
• Hydrazine
• Hydrogen cyanide
• Phenol
• Trichloroethylene

Psychoactive Effect

The effect of both smoking and vaping on the mind heavily depends on the type of psychoactive substance used; tobacco (nicotine), THC or other dried fermented plant materials will have different impacts.

In any case, nicotine absorbed by the blood triggers the release of adrenaline, which raises blood pressure, heartbeat rate, and breathing. It also increases dopamine levels, which can cause users to associate heightened pleasure and feelings of reward with smoking or vaping.

In broad strokes, vaping can become an emotion-based coping mechanism. It can contribute to anxiety and mood disorders, depression, constant agitation or suicidal ideation. 

Smoking may improve concentration, lower anxious thoughts, and act as a stimulant, all in the short-term. Withdrawal can be stressful. Long-term users may become irritable, restless, unable to focus or depressed.

Common Ingredients

The e-liquid in vape pens is composed of the following primary ingredients:

• Propylene glycol, which carries the liquid’s flavor
• Vegetable glycerine, a sweetener and emulsifier
• Nicotine
• Food-grade flavoring
• Water
• Aldehydes and heavy metals

Cigars and cigarettes are comparatively simpler in terms of ingredients; to wit, the only significant component is the filler, which is made from bound, dried and fermented tobacco leaves. 

Variety of Flavors

Vape users have many more options when it comes to flavouring compared to smokers.

Hundreds of kinds of flavorings can be infused into an e-liquid, and combined to create several more varieties. Popular flavors range from fruity selections and chocolate to bubblegum, Red Bull or imitation tobacco.

While many smokers prefer the natural flavor of tobacco, artificially-flavoured tobacco products are available in types such as spearmint, citrus, rum, menthol, or cinnamon.

Health Risks

The negative health effects of smoking are well-documented. Inhalation of the aerosols damage the airways and the alveoli of the lungs; as such, smoking diseases are usually focused in the respiratory system. 

Documented effects of smoking to long-term users include:

• Lung cancer
• General increased risk of all cancers
• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Bronchitis
• Tuberculosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Reduced fertility

Users and supporters of vaping espouse the act as a healthier alternative to smoking. 

One common misconception is that vape aerosols are mostly water vapour. In reality, the clouds produced are made of a fine mist of nicotine, heavy metal particles, and propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine. 

Established risks to vaping are:

• Acute lung injury
• Cardiovascular disease
• Asthma
• Lung cancer
• Decreased capacity for learning, memory and attention¹
• Bronchitis
• Sudden infant diseases syndrome

Pricing

Vaping is more expensive upfront compared to cigarettes.² Purchasing a device is the highest cost, especially for high-end units such as pods.

Disposable pods or nicotine vaping products (NVPs), as well as prefilled cartridges, are much pricier than a pack of smokes.

For chronic users in the long-term, vaping becomes more affordable, as replacing e-liquid is cheaper compared to buying cigarette packs.

Demographics

The World Health Organization estimates that a fifth of the world’s current population uses tobacco or a smoking product. One in three men smoke. The majority of men who smoke are in the 40-64 age bracket.

Vaping attracts more of the youth demographic. About a fifth of Americans from the 18-29 age range use a vape product. 

Comparison Chart: Smoking vs Vaping

How are smoking and vaping similar?

Despite proponents presenting vapes as a healthier alternative, smoking and vaping remain quite similar.

Both products heat an addictive substance into a fine aerosol mist that is then inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream to produce a relaxing, but stimulating effect on the user.

The substance in most cases is still nicotine. Cannabis, cloves, sage, and opium can also be used as the burning material.

Psychotropic effects are common. Users can become irritable, tense, depressed or emotionally volatile as they develop a nicotine addiction.

Common health effects from persistent smoking or vaping are several lung and heart diseases, including: asthma, acute lung injury, coronary artery disease, emphysema, and bronchitis. Both habits increase the overall risk of cancer and lower fertility.

FAQ

Conclusion 

Smoking is on the decline globally, while the number of people who vape continues to rise—from 68 million in 2020 to 82 million in 2021.

What are the key differences between vaping and smoking? 

Vaping does not burn nicotine; it heats a flavoured liquid into an aerosol mist. The e-liquid in a vape pen contains more ingredients than in a normal cigarette, with heavy metals, propylene glycol, and flavouring in addition to nicotine. 

Vapes also come in more flavors, are pricier upfront, and are heavily aimed at young users. Most users own a second-gen vape pen, but vape pods and fourth-gen pod mods are seeing increasing adoption.

Smoking is mainly the domain of middle-aged men.

Research establishes both products pose serious health risks with frequent use, due to similar carcinogenic, cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Vapes may also induce heavy metal poisoning.

References

• https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2022/2/feature/3-feature-e-cigarettes-and-toxic-metals
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507191/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK179276/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK179276.pdf
• https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/30/1/94
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7837520/
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946180

Red Tiger Balm is used for muscle and joint pain while white Tiger Balm is used more for decongesting the nasal passages and promoting recovery after sports.

What is Red Tiger Balm?

Red Tiger Balm is a traditional Chinese ointment made from medicinal plants, the main one being camphor.

This essential oil and herbal balm is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation and joint and muscle contractures. For the sport, it is recommended to use it before its practice for warming up.

Composition of the balsam of the red tiger:

• Camphor: up to 25%
• Menthol: 10
• Oil of cajeput: 7
• Essential oil of dementholized mint: 6%
• Essential oil of Chinese cinnamon: 5%
• Essential oil of cloves: 5%

When applied, Tiger Balm provides both a warm and a cold sensation. The camphor and the essential oil of cloves will cause a feeling of heat while the menthol, the essential oil of menthol, and the essential oil of cajeput will rather cause a feeling of cold.

Red Tiger Balm is a topical treatment (applied to the skin) and despite its name, it does not contain any animal extracts.

What is White Tiger Balm?

White Tiger Balm is a lighter version of Red Tiger Balm. It is particularly recommended for decongesting the nose and respiratory tract. The white tiger balm is also recommended after the effort to support the recovery.

Composition of the balsam of the white tiger:

• Camphor: up to 25%
• Menthol: 8
• Oil of cajeput: 13
• Essential oil of eucalyptus: 14
• Essential oil of cloves: 1.5%

The white tiger balm is also applied in massage and causes a very pleasant hot-cold sensation.

Difference Between the Red and White Tiger Balm

Use

Due to their slightly different composition, red tiger balm and white tiger balm should be chosen carefully to treat your ailments.

The white tiger balm, however, is more neutral and mild in nature, so it can be used in more cases than the red tiger balm.

When to use the red tiger balm:

• to warm up your body before physical effort
• for muscular tensions
• for inflammations of joints and tendons
• for constipation, diarrhea, and various stomach aches with an abdominal massage
• to improve your blood circulation for example on the feet when it is cold

In which cases to use the white tiger balm:

• to recover better at the muscular and articular level after the physical effort
• for headaches with a light massage on the temples
• for cough with a massage at the level of the thorax and the back
• to keep mosquitoes away and relieve itching due to insect bites
• to decongest a blocked nose
• to relieve torticollis
• to relax dizziness and nausea simply by inhaling the vapors of Tiger Balm when you open it
• to relieve the itching of the skin
• to fight effectively against the mycosis of the feet

Composition

The red tiger balm contains 5% of the essential oil from the cinnamon tree of China whereas the tiger balm does not have any. Conversely, the white Tiger Balm contains 16% of the essential oil of eucalyptus while the red Tiger Balm does not.

In white Tiger Balm, the concentration of menthol and clove essential oil is much lower than in red Tiger Balm.

Price

Red and white Tiger Balms are sold in 19g and 30g jars. Basically, red and white tiger balms are sold at the same price.

However, it is not uncommon to find better deals on the red tiger balm as it is the more popular of the two. On the internet, you can usually get red tiger balm for less than white tiger balm.

Sensations

Applied in massage, the red tiger balm causes a warmer sensation than the white tiger balm which is more "refreshing" thanks to its high concentration of eucalyptus.

Comparative Table

The History of Tiger Balm

In 1870, Aw Chu Kin, a Chinese herbalist, left China to go to Burma. He took with him a plant-based formula developed for the Chinese emperor. Afterward, he opened a herbal store called "Eng Aun Tong" so that everyone could benefit from this universal wellness.

He passed away in 1908 and left his recipe for the balm to his two sons, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par. Aw Boon Haw named the balm "Tiger Balm" and moved the headquarters to Singapore. Aw Boon Haw was a gifted businessman who made Tiger Balm known worldwide. Gradually, Tiger Balm became known for its effectiveness and reliability first in Asia and then internationally.

Today, Tiger Balm is manufactured for Haw Par Healthcare in China. The range of products around the Tiger Balm has expanded since there are now lotions, patches, creams, and even mosquito repellents signed by Tiger Balm.

Questions about Red and White Tiger Balm:

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Balm
• https://europepmc.org/article/med/8839380
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336649980_Efficacy_safety_and_tolerability_of_Tiger_BalmR_ointments_a_systematic_review_and_a_meta-analysis_of_prevalence