Vaping instead of smoking – what happens in the body?

Many customers who switch from smoking to e-cigarettes ask us: what changes in my body now? The honest answer: some things disappear, others remain. In this guide we explain what public authorities say about this and where the limits of knowledge lie.

What disappears when you switch?

The combustion of tobacco disappears, and with it the smoke, which contains carbon monoxide, for example.

With an e-cigarette nothing is burned; instead a liquid is vaporised. According to the BfR, the vapour, when used as intended, contains significantly lower amounts of carcinogenic and other harmful substances than tobacco smoke. According to the health insurer Techniker Krankenkasse, after stopping smoking the level of toxic carbon monoxide in the blood falls after only about eight hours, and the organs are better supplied with oxygen.

What do many switchers notice first?

Many tell us in the shop that their sense of smell and taste improves. The TK also describes how the senses of smell and taste improve after stopping smoking. How strongly this applies to you depends on many factors.

What stays the same?

If you vape a liquid with nicotine, the nicotine remains, and with it the addiction.

According to the BfR, nicotine from e-cigarettes reaches the brain about as quickly as with tobacco cigarettes. It increases blood pressure and the tendency to thrombosis and leads to the release of stress hormones. Many of the improvements described for stopping smoking completely relate to giving up tobacco and nicotine. They therefore cannot be transferred one-to-one to vaping.

Which new risks are added?

The vapour also contains substances that can damage the cardiovascular system and the lungs. According to the BfR, long-term studies are still lacking. More on this in the guide Is vaping healthier than smoking?.

Which complaints can occur at the beginning?

Commonly mentioned are irritation of the throat and mouth, cough, headache and nausea. According to studies, they usually decrease over time.

The Cochrane review on e-cigarettes names these complaints as the most common side effects. They are similar to those of nicotine replacement products and decreased over the course of the studies. Taking in too much nicotine often shows up as headache or nausea. In that case it helps to draw less often or to choose a lower nicotine strength.

What about the craving for cigarettes?

The smoke-free portal describes stopping smoking as a longer process that is often easier with support. From our experience in the shop, habit also plays a big role, and the same applies when switching.

When should I seek medical advice?

If you have pre-existing conditions, are pregnant or notice symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, talk to your doctor.

This guide does not replace medical advice. The goal remains to give up nicotine completely at some point. The smoke-free portal offers support for this.

Which questions do we hear most often in the shop?

Why do I cough more after switching?

Coughing is named in studies as a common side effect and usually decreases. If it persists or gets worse, have it checked by a doctor.

Should I keep smoking and vape as well?

If you use both, you are still smoking. The benefits associated with the end of combustion only apply if you give up tobacco cigarettes completely.

How do I find the right device for switching?

We explain what matters in the guide Which e-cigarette is right for switching?.

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. Techniker Krankenkasse: Quitting smoking – after the last cigarette (in German). https://www.tk.de/techniker/krankheit-und-behandlungen/erkrankungen/behandlungen-und-medizin/sucht/rauchen/rauchenentwoehnung-nach-der-letzten-zigarette-2015692
3. 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-
4. German Federal Institute for Public Health: What happens when you stop smoking? (in German). https://www.rauchfrei-info.de/der-rauchstopp/was-passiert-beim-rauchstopp/