Is Vaping Healthier than Smoking?



Since the cannabis industry has grown tenfold in the last two decades, the delivery methods of smoking have become abundant. Consumers are no longer only smoking and eating cannabis; they are vaping, dabbing, drinking, tonguing (and other fun verbs) cannabis. Naturally, consumers are trying to identify the safest way to consume cannabis. This has posed a new-age question: smoke or vape?  Let's find out if vaping is healthier than smoking.

What is Vaping?

Vaping is a term used to define the process of vaporizing ingestible oils and solutions to achieve the desired effects. Vaping often involves vaporizing cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. The science behind vaping is all relative to one core concept: heat. Vaporizing occurs when a high-temperature heat is applied to an ingestible (and combustible) matter or solution. Once heated, the solid or liquid will become an ingestible vapor. In this process, the cannabinoid can be isolated based on temperature, yielding a smoother experience versus smoking. Certain carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, can also be zapped with the help of vaporization. This means you can vaporize dry cannabis flowers, tobacco leaves, and oils, respectively. This is often accomplished with the help of an atomizer within the vaporizer or battery pack in the device. 

Health Benefits of Vaping

The health benefits associated with vaping outweigh the health benefits of smoking. Most cannabis consumers know that vaping is safer than smoking, thanks to science. Vaping does not have nearly the same amount of carcinogens associated with smoking cannabis or any other smokable substance. Moreover, former tobacco users achieve cessation with the help of vaporizers. Companies can provide little-to-no nicotine in vape cartridges to help tobacco smokers wean off the substance. 

The Science of Smoking

Let's begin with the most common and understood form of consuming cannabis: smoking. It is a fact that smoking is still the most popular way of consuming cannabis on a daily basis. Smoking is also arguably the oldest method of consuming cannabis outside of early Chinese medical professionals using cannabis in tinctures in early 2,000 B.C.. Smoking comes with the availability of things such as joints, cbd-infused wraps, cigars, and cigarillos ('blunts'); obtaining a smoking high is quick and easy. Cannabis consumers can grind the dry cannabis flowers of their favorite strain and roll it up. Upon inhalation, a smoking high can hit an individual as quick as 7 seconds. This is due to the THC being activated via heat and crossing the blood-brain barrier in under 15 seconds thanks to the world's favorite delivery method: smoking.

Health Benefits of Smoking

So, what about the health benefits associated with smoking. Quite frankly, there are no health benefits associated with smoking. Moreover, individuals who smoke cannabis often wrap in tobacco-laden cigars or even spliff them. The carcinogens associated with smoking a substance of any kind cannot be avoided. This is why the typical cannabis consumer has moved towards utilizing rolling papers or glass apparatuses such as water pipes and bowls. However, there are health benefits associated with the consumption of THC and CBD by many delivery methods. These cannabinoids have been praised for countless health benefits, including:


  • Serve as an Anticonvulsant

  • Decrease Anxiety

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Combat Insomnia

  • Fight the growth of cancerous cells

  • Regulate blood sugar levels

  • Reduce flare-ups associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • Improve eye health

  • Promote proper bone growth

  • Promote adequate regulation of metabolism

Which Delivery Method of Cannabis is Healthier?

So, what is the final verdict? The winner here is evident: vaping is healthier than smoking cannabis hands-down. The number of carcinogens is virtually nonexistent. Despite the recent issues plaguing vaping cartridges, vaping is still safer than smoking.