Are Therapeutic Vapes Safer Than Smoking?

Last updated: 12 February 2025

Yes, they are. There is scientific consensus that vaping is safer than smoking¹ and studies have shown no more serious adverse events than from similar use of NRT (gums, patches and sprays).

It’s important to note that therapeutic vapes are intended as a short-term tool to support smoking cessation, not for ongoing or indefinite use.

Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews: Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation

No evidence of serious harms from nicotine vaping

No difference in adverse events between nicotine vaping and NRT

In contrast, tobacco smoke is extremely dangerous, and there is no safe amount of smoking. Although nicotine is addictive, it isn’t the primary cause of smoking-related disease or cancer – the toxic nature of tobacco smoke itself causes these.

In simple terms:
It’s the smoke that kills you, and therapeutic vapes do not produce smoke.

Much of what’s in the media about the dangers of vaping relates to illegally sold vapes, about which little is known. Manufacturers of vapes from pharmacies are required, among other things, to understand precisely what is in them and to be sure that known harmful ingredients are not present.

While vapes shouldn’t be described as ‘harmless’, even a short duration of continued smoking will expose you to far more toxicants than many years of vaping.

However, we don’t yet know the effect on health from vaping long-term.

That is why therapeutic vapes are used to help you stop entirely within a reasonable timeframe – inhaling nothing but fresh air certainly has less risks associated with it.

What are they and how do they work?

Can they help me quit smoking?

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All listed pharmacies have been verified as a stocked and trained provider of therapeutic nicotine vapes

All health and safety information on Quitwise is evidence-based, fact-checked and provided from reputable third party sources

The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical guidance. Quitwise is not responsible for any health outcomes based on the information presented here.

Quitwise is owned and operated by Liber Pharmaceuticals for the purpose of furthering education regarding therapeutic vaping products as a second-line therapy for the purposes of smoking cessation and the management of nicotine dependence.

Liber is an Australian owned and operated company and has no affiliation with the tobacco industry, their affiliates, or any organisations or individuals engaged in lobbying on their behalf.

Find your nearest pharmacy

All listed pharmacies have been verified as a stocked and trained provider of therapeutic nicotine vapes