All changes you notice after quitting cigarettes as comparison showed differences between smoking and vaping
Trying to quit smoking is one of the most challenging things that someone can do - and it's why so many people try to avoid starting in the first place.
But with the rise of vapes and with science advancing to the point where we are well educated on what long-term smoking can do to your health and well-being, the benefits of quitting have been outlined by several medical experts.
We don't know as much about vaping as it only really hit the mainstream in the last decade or so, but research is going into its effects, while some content creators have taken it upon themselves to conduct experiments of their own.
So, what benefits come from quitting smoking, and is vaping much better?
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What's worse, smoking or vaping?
YouTuber Chris Notap wanted to find this out, and used two clear glass domes with a small hole in the front, filled with cotton balls in a viral experiment.
An inhaling machine was used to 'smoke' the cigarette or vape that was placed in the holes, as Chris explained that he wanted to find out what happened after you smoked for one month.
In the clip, which has been viewed 50 million times, he used 30 packs of cigarettes compared to 120ml of vape juice, with both being an estimated monthly dose, and it was found that in the ciggy dome, a sticky brown residue built up inside the dome, while the vape left a white cloud in its dome.
After taking the apparatuses apart, wiping the cotton balls from the ciggy dome showed the brown tar-like liquid left in the man-made 'lung', while cotton from the vape's was clear, with liquid running down the dome.
Tar built up in the ciggy's exhalation tube, while the vape's tube showed slight discolouration, but all in all, it looked clear.
The answer to the question here is that smoking is known to be more harmful, but vaping is not harm-free, as the NHS state: “While vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, it is unlikely to be totally harmless.
“The healthiest option is not to smoke or vape. So, if you are vaping to quit smoking, you should aim to eventually stop vaping too.”
So if you are a smoker, what happens when you quit, and is it all really worth it? Basically, the longer you do it, the more you'll benefit.
Here's what happens if you quit smoking, from minutes after to years later, according to the NHS.
20 minutes
In less than half an hour, your pulse rate will begin to slow and return to normal after quitting - the first real sign of your health improving if you give up the old habit once and for all.
Eight hours
At this point, your oxygen levels will have recovered, while the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will reduce by half, with long-term health improvements beginning to develop.
48-72 hours
After just a few days, all the carbon monoxide in your bloodstream would have been flushed out, while your senses of taste and smell will get better as your lungs work to clear itself out of any mucus.
After 72 hours, breathing will feel easier as your bronchial tubes (air passages in the lungs which allow air to flow in and out) have started to relax again.
Your overall energy will also see a sharp increase.
Two to 12 weeks
If you've stayed clean for this long, you'll find that your blood circulation would have dramatically improved, meaning it's easier for blood to be pumped through to your heart and muscles.
Three to nine months
Your lung function will now have increased by up to 10 percent, as any pre-existing coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will improve drastically.
One year
Making it an entire year is a massive achievement and it also means that your risk of a heart attack will have halved compared to a smoker, or compared to yourself a year before.
10 years
A decade smoke-free means that your risk of death from lung cancer would have halved in the time that you've given ciggies up, adding to the growing list of health benefits that come with quitting smoking.
The NHS advises those looking to quit to throw all of your cigarettes away and to hold yourself accountable by remembering why you're quitting, to ensure the best results.
They also encourage those looking to quit to join the NHS Quit Smoking Facebook group for support and advice.
Joshua Nair