Is vaping healthier than smoking? What studies say

We hear this question almost every day in our shop in Freiburg. There is no simple answer, and we are not doctors. That is why we summarise here what public authorities and major reviews say, including all the risks and open questions.

What does the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment say?

According to the BfR, the vapour of e-cigarettes, when used as intended, contains significantly lower amounts of carcinogenic and other harmful substances than tobacco smoke. Nevertheless, it is not harmless.

The BfR stresses that using e-cigarettes can involve health risks. The vapour contains substances that can damage the cardiovascular system and the lungs, among other things. When heated, substances such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein can be produced. Some flavourings can trigger allergies.

Why does the difference matter so much?

With a tobacco cigarette, tobacco is burned. With an e-cigarette, according to the BfR, a liquid is vaporised at around 150 to 200 degrees Celsius in most devices. So there is no combustion. This explains why many pollutants found in tobacco smoke occur in smaller amounts in the vapour.

Which risks are known?

The biggest known risk is nicotine. In addition, there are substances produced during heating and a lack of long-term data.

• Nicotine: It is highly addictive. According to the BfR, it increases blood pressure and the tendency to thrombosis, among other things. This promotes cardiovascular disease.
• Heating products: Carcinogenic aldehydes can be produced during vaporisation. How much depends, according to the BfR, on factors such as draw intensity, fill level and power.
• Lack of long-term studies: According to the BfR, the effects of inhaling propylene glycol and glycerin for years have not yet been sufficiently studied.
• Swallowing: Liquids are poisonous if swallowed, especially for children.

What do studies say about switching from smoking?

A large Cochrane review concludes that e-cigarettes with nicotine can help people stop smoking for at least six months.

Cochrane is an international network that systematically evaluates studies. Its continuously updated review on e-cigarettes concludes that e-cigarettes with nicotine work better for quitting smoking than nicotine replacement products such as patches or chewing gum. The authors name irritation of the throat and mouth, headache, cough and nausea as the most common side effects. These decreased over time. At the same time, they stress that more data is needed, especially on newer devices.

What does this mean for me?

If you don’t smoke, you shouldn’t start vaping either. If you smoke and want to quit, you should seek advice.

For your health: neither smoke nor vape. If you want to stop smoking, you can find free support on the smoke-free portal of the German Federal Institute for Public Health or from your GP. How switching can make itself felt in the body is explained in the guide Vaping instead of smoking – what happens in the body?.

Which questions do we hear most often in the shop?

Are e-cigarettes without nicotine harmless?

No. According to the BfR, nicotine-free liquids also carry health risks. More on this in the guide Are there e-cigarettes without nicotine?.

Is passive vaping a problem?

According to the BfR, health risks for third parties are possible based on current knowledge. So do not vape in the presence of children, pregnant women or sick people.

What about the lung diseases in the USA?

The BfR links these cases to vitamin E acetate, which was found mainly in THC-containing black-market products. In Germany, liquids may not contain vitamins.

Note: This guide is intended exclusively for adults. We sell all products only to persons aged 18 and over. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. This article does not replace medical advice. If you want to quit smoking, you can find free help on the rauchfrei portal of the German Federal Institute for Public Health.

About the authors – Team Dampfstelle Freiburg: We are an owner-managed specialist shop in Freiburg-Zähringen and have been advising customers in our shop every day since August 2022. Our team has been vaping for over 10 years and knows the devices, liquids and typical problems from personal experience.

Last updated: 14.10.2026

Which sources is this article based on?

1. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): E-cigarettes: anything but harmless – questions and answers (in German). https://www.bfr.bund.de/fragen-und-antworten/thema/e-zigaretten-alles-andere-als-harmlos/
2. Cochrane: Can electronic cigarettes help people stop smoking, and do they have any unwanted effects when used for this purpose? (in English). https://www.cochrane.org/CD010216/CENTRALED_can-
3. German Federal Institute for Public Health: rauchfrei portal (in German). https://www.rauchfrei-info.de/