A recent study from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 100 million people worldwide are now vaping. This hot number includes 86 million adult users and at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 years.
But why exactly do people vape or use e-cigarettes? What's drawing millions to electronic nicotine delivery systems? And what are the driving forces behind its rise?
To put it simply, vaping is an easier, more convenient alternative to traditional smoking. It's probably why millions are drawn to it. Let's take a look at the reasons that make people vape and everything else that contributes to it.
8 Reasons for Vaping
While reasons to vape may differ significantly from person to person, it's best to understand the trend by looking at key motivators.
Some people vape due to health reasons, others because of social influence, and some just want a new way to get a nicotine fix. Let’s explore these motivations in detail.
1. Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine addiction is one of the leading reasons why people vape. Much like regular cigarettes, many e-liquids contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that produces a quick, satisfying hit.
Users hooked on nicotine through cigarette smoking choose to vape as they believe it offers a safer way to feed their cravings. It gives the same nicotine high without some of the dangers associated with traditional smoking.
Indeed, for many who try to quit smoking, vaping is sometimes a stepping stone in their path. The idea is that you can gradually reduce nicotine consumption and wean off nicotine altogether by lessening it over time. Experts from the WHO often disagree over whether or not vaping helps people stop smoking due to the presence of addictive nicotine.
While many turn to vaping to satisfy their nicotine cravings, there's a new, healthier alternative that’s cleaner and smoother. Blakk Smoke's fruit-juice-filled nicotine-free hookah vapes allow users to enjoy the same smoking ritual without the addictive substance that many find hard to shake.
These nicotine-free mint hookah vapes are an excellent option for those who want to enjoy the social and sensory aspects of vaping without the risks associated with addiction.
2. Perceived Healthier Alternative
Many people believe that vaping is much safer compared to cigarettes. This is partially true because vapes and e-cigarettes lack some of the toxic substances found in regular cigarettes, such as tar and carbon monoxide.
However, some e-juices still contain nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals, including heavy metals such as nickel and lead, as well as volatile organic compounds. They may also include other ingredients, like diacetyl, known to cause a severe form of lung disease called "popcorn lung."
Some companies even advertise vaping as a "healthier" alternative for those who are trying to quit the habit of smoking cigarettes. Since research into the long-term health effects of vaping on the body and brain is still developing, users should exercise caution. Researchers have yet to gauge the long-term health implications of vaping.
3. Social Influence and Peer Pressure
Social vaping is one of the major lures among younger people. There's a sort of cultural coolness to vaping, especially with the rise of "vape culture" on social media.
Influencers and celebrities alike are touting their favorite e-cigarette and vape products on Instagram and TikTok, making it rather cool and hip. And because of that, younger individuals, especially high school students, may take up vaping because they simply see others doing it.
4. Flavors and Customization
One of the main factors that makes vaping so enjoyable is the wide range of flavors that e-liquids come in. There are fruity mixes, menthol flavors, desserts, candy, and so much more.
There's access to a far larger range of flavors than in traditional cigarettes, which are mostly confined to tobacco. This wide range of flavors makes vaping especially appealing to younger smokers and those who find the taste of burning tobacco unpleasant.
What's more, vaping devices offer customization options that allow you to adjust nicotine levels, coil types, and even airflow settings. This flexibility gives users control over their vaping experience, making it even more attractive.
5. Convenience and Discreetness
Vaping devices are highly convenient. They're portable, easy to use, and require no maintenance. The heating element in the device vaporizes the e-liquid, and voila, you can puff away. You don't have to go through the old hassle of lighting a cigarette or disposing of the ashes. This makes vaping an ideal choice for many people on the go.
Additionally, vaping is a lot more discreet than smoking cigarettes. The vapor clears quickly without a trace, leaving minimal odor. This appeals to people who enjoy smoking but don't want to deal with the lingering smell of burning tobacco. More so, people can vape in many more locations than when using cigarettes.
6. Perceived Control and Choice
Another reason people vape is because of the sense of control it provides. While traditional cigarette smoking is designed for a fixed nicotine level, vaping offers an added means of controlling how much nicotine you consume. This gives users the option to gradually lower their nicotine intake over time, which can be useful for people who want to quit smoking entirely.
Vaping, for some, helps to alleviate discomfort caused by nicotine withdrawal symptoms and thus enables a more gradual and controlled management of addiction.
At the same time, it's important to realize that even though vaping may appear as a more manageable form of nicotine intake, it also includes risks of addiction and health issues.
7. Curiosity and Experimentation
Curiosity is another key motivator. Some people see vaping as something new and exciting, something worth trying simply to see what all the hype is about.
For many, it starts as an experiment and an innocent attempt to see what vaping feels like. Unfortunately, for others, it doesn’t stop there. The initial intention might not be to become regular vapers.
However, because of social influences and the addictive power of nicotine, people may find themselves picking up an e-cigarette or vape pen and using it for a long time. This can lead to nicotine addiction, which is a major public health concern.
8. Marketing and Advertising
How brands market tobacco products and sell vapes greatly influences people. Advertising, especially through influencers and celebrities, portrays vaping as the real deal.
These campaigns focus on appealing aspects of vaping, like the variety of flavors, the convenience, and the promise of a less harmful alternative to cigarette smoking.
What many smokers don't consider is that such marketing downplays the possible health risks of vaping. Unfortunately, the promise of a "healthier" lifestyle and the allure of flavor options are very convincing. This leads to more people vaping.
[Photo by SeventyFour from Canva.]
Health Risks of Vaping
While vaping may seem like the lesser evil in comparison to cigarette smoking, it carries its fair share of risks. E-cigarettes can still expose users to toxic chemicals such as propylene glycol, formaldehyde, and nicotine. These are all substances that can cause adverse effects on the lungs and cardiovascular system.
According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaping creates a pathway to lung disease and cancer, heart disease, and other health conditions. Additionally, concerns are growing over the long-term health effects of vaping.
While vaping does involve fewer harmful chemicals compared with cigarettes, it's in no way harmless. There's still a risk for:
- Nicotine Addiction: Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, especially in developing brains. According to the CDC, it affects attention, anxiety levels, learning, mood, and impulse control.
- Severe Lung Injury (EVALI): EVALI stands for E-cigarette, or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury. EVALI is a serious lung condition primarily linked to the use of vapes containing THC and Vitamin E acetate. Inhaling toxic chemicals like these over time can cause permanent lung damage and even death.
- Respiratory and Lung Problems: Vaping may cause symptoms like lung inflammation and irritation. It can also result in permanent lung diseases such as "popcorn lung" or bronchiolitis obliterans. Vaping further exacerbates asthma and increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
- Cardiovascular Risks: Nicotine increases blood pressure and accelerates the heart rate, thus increasing the risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Gateway to Cigarette Smoking: E-cigarette use increases the chances of using cigarettes among non-smokers, especially young people.
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Accidental Poisoning: Liquid nicotine with high concentrations can be poisonous when ingested or absorbed.
Alternatives to Vaping
If you're trying to quit nicotine altogether, there are alternatives to vapes and other tobacco products.
Nicotine replacement therapies, for instance, can help you manage your cravings while quitting. These include:
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine pouches
- Nicotine patches
- Prescription medications
Nicotine-free e-liquids are also available for those who would like to experience vaping without the addictive substances.
Better yet, Blakk Smoke's tobacco and nicotine-free fruit shishas and hookah pens are the perfect healthier alternative for people who still want the hand-to-mouth and puffing ritual of smoking.
Note: If you want to reduce your nicotine cravings, you can also contact a local stop-smoking service. Advisers will guide you through the smoking cessation process and advise on the best ways of quitting permanently. Here's a helpful resource on how to stop smoking to get you started.
FAQs
What are the Main Reasons for Vaping?
People vape for a variety of reasons, mainly nicotine addiction, social influences, perceived health benefits, and the availability of cool flavors and customization options.
Does Vaping Get You High?
How Long Do You Stay High on a Vape?
In most cases, the effects of nicotine from vaping last from 30 minutes to an hour, which depends on each person and the nicotine strength.
Is Vaping Worse Than Cigarettes?
Not quite. When comparing risks of vapes vs. cigarettes, it's vital to know that both have the potential to cause addiction, as well as lung and heart diseases. However, some people consider vaping generally less harmful than smoking cigarettes because these devices have fewer toxins.
How Many Puffs of a Vape are Equivalent to One Cigarette?
This is dependent on the device and nicotine strengths, but overall, it would take 10 to 15 puffs from a vape pen to have the same intake of nicotine as one cigarette. Read more on how many cigarettes are in a vape here.
What are the 5 Risks of Vaping?
The 5 risks of vaping include:
- Nicotine addiction
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
- Secondhand smoke risks
Will My Lungs Heal if I Vape Instead of Smoking?
While vaping may reduce your exposure to nicotine and some of the other chemicals associated with cigarette smoking, it's still unlikely to fully reverse any damage caused by smoking.
Conclusion
So, why do people vape? People vape for many reasons, including to get their nicotine fix, enjoy the flavors, social influence, or because they perceive it as healthier. In case you're considering vaping or perhaps trying to quit smoking, it's important to weigh the pros against the cons, and to understand the risks while considering healthier alternatives.
At Blakk Smoke, we're turning the tide with healthier, nicotine-free vape alternatives, perfect on the go. Try Blakk Smoke today.
References
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, January 31). Health effects of vaping. CDC.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2025, October 6). WHO tobacco trends report: 1 in 5 adults still addicted to tobacco. WHO.
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