Vaping has grown in popularity over the years. A fact sheet about the use of vapes amongst adults in Great Britain shows that more than 3 million adults are current vapers of which around 2 million are ex-smokers and the remaining alternate between vaping with smoking.

But how socially acceptable is vaping, especially compared to smoking?

HOW DOES VAPING DIFFER TO SMOKING?

NO TOBACCO

Although most e-liquids used for e-cigarettes contain nicotine, they do not contain tobacco, which means no tobacco derived tar. Vaping devices work by heating an e-liquid, which creates a vapour rather than smoke, and this tobacco-free vapour isn’t thought to be as dangerous as second-hand smoke, as suggested in a report published by the committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment (COT).

NO STALE CIGARETTE ODOUR

That stale smoke smell that clings to your hair and clothes? That’s a problem exclusive to cigarettes.

NO ASH

Since vaping devices don’t produce ash, you and those around you don’t have to worry about ash landing on your clothes.  Vuse products have no tobacco, no ash, no tar and no smoke odour*

LESS TOXICANTS

An evidence update from Public Health England on e-cigarettes concludes that e-cigarettes are around 95% safer than smoked tobacco and they can help smokers to quit.  

HOW IS VAPING PERCIEVED IN SOCIETY?

Vaping has become a very popular route to stopping smoking in recent years , and it tends to be seen as a less harmful alternative.

Since it’s the tobacco in cigarettes that is harmful, not the nicotine, and since vaping doesn’t involve tobacco, second-hand vapour from an e-cigarette isn’t thought to be as dangerous as second-hand smoke . This generally means it’s perceived in a more positive light than smoking.

So are there dangers from second hand vaping?

Second hand vape emissions contain compounds that could pose risks to bystanders in high concentrations. However, compared to conventional cigarette second hand smoke, the number and levels of such compounds are far less because vaping does not involve the burning of tobacco or production of emissions between puffs.

SO, IS VAPING SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE IN SOCIETY?

Over time, vaping has become more widely accepted for many people . It’s easier to vape than smoke in some public places, meaning that people are now more exposed to it than smoking.

Growing misconceptions around e-cigarettes have impacted the public’s view on vaping yet it remains a popular alternative to smoking for many.  No tobacco, no ash, no tar and no smoke odour* helps vaping to be seen as more socially acceptable than smoking.

If you’re new to vaping, or you just want to get clued up, read our guide to vaping etiquette.

*'By 'no tar' we mean no tobacco derived tar. This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.