When cigarette smokers decide to quit, they often decide that they want to turn to hookah or vaping instead. It makes it easier than just stopping altogether.
There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming to choose the one that will work best for you. The two main options that stand out are hookah and vaping.
The truth is that hookah and vaping are not the same thing, so determining the best option means doing a little research first. Learning about hookah vs vaping is a great place to start.
If you’re interested in finding out more about using these options yourself, keep reading and determine which you should choose.
What is Hookah?
Hookah pipes have been used for over 400 years. It originated in East Asia and India.
In the 1600s, Hakim Abu’l-Fath Gilani invented hookah as a physician. He believed the health hazards of tobacco would not matter if the tobacco was passed through water first.
In the ’90s, flavored tobacco started to become popular in Mediterranean countries. After this, the popularity grew even larger and it spread around the world.
In the 1990s, flavored tobacco became popular in the Eastern Mediterranean countries, and hookah use grew from there to eventually spread around the world.
In reality, a hookah is the same thing as a water pipe. It has a head that is filled with moist tobacco, a central stem that leads to the water bowl, and a hose with a mouthpiece attached.
The moist tobacco that is put in the head is heated by lighting charcoal above it. Generally, this is done on a piece of foil that has holes poked in it or by using metal mesh.
You want to heat the tobacco without burning it. You then will suck the smoke through the water and out of the hose before inhaling.
The tobacco that is used in a hookah is not usually the same as tobacco used in cigarettes. It is moist and usually has molasses, glycerin, and/or flavorings to create less harsh inhales than cigarettes.
You buy the supplies you need for hookah from a hookah tobacco shop, including the tobacco and pipe.
What is Vaping?
The first person that thought of an e-cigarette was Joseph Robinson all the way back in 1927. It wasn’t until 1963, however, that Herbert Gilbert made vaping popular with his non-tobacco cigarette.
Vaping is inhaling or exhaling aerosol (the vapor) produced by a device similar to an e-cigarette. E-cigarettes don’t make tobacco smoke, they make aerosol consisting of fine particles.
The particles contain different chemicals, but the aerosol is not the same as water vapor.
Vaping has become more popular even though they were only introduced to the market in the United States in 2007. E-cigarettes resemble regular cigarettes, but vaping devices may look more like fountain pens.
The device consists of a mouthpiece, cartridge for the liquid, a battery, and a heating component. There may be other features added to the device, but the more inexpensive e-cigarettes won’t have those extra options.
The battery heats up the heating component and turns the liquid into the aerosol that is inhaled and exhaled.
The FDA has raised the smoking and vaping age to 21. This means that you can’t legally buy these products until you’re that age in the United States and includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and cigars.
Hookah vs Vaping: Which is Better?
Using hookah means you are still using tobacco, even though it is not the same as cigarette tobacco. Hookah smoking is not supposed to involve combusting tobacco, but it can happen.
When you vape, you are not going to be using any type of tobacco. You will still be using nicotine and your liquid may have components from tobacco leaves, however, so this is important to consider.
There are some people that prefer vaping because they like the way the aerosol looks as it comes out in big puffs. Hookah also has thick smoke that comes out, but it is more similar to cigarettes due to the tobacco.
Some of the similarities between hookah and vaping are that they may have fruity flavors. This makes it taste a little better and makes it more desirable to people that are looking for that type of experience.
Both of these methods also can make your throat feel more comfortable than cigarettes likely will. It hits your throat harder, but it goes down easier after you inhale.
Determining which option is better for you depends on what you are looking for. Do you want to keep using tobacco, but in a different form? Are you interested in looking into a device that you can charge and reuse on a regular basis with liquid?
Everyone has their own preferences, so you have to decide if you want to try hookah or vaping as your next step. Remember that both of these vices have their own risks to consider before you start.
Ready to Make a Choice?
When looking at hookah vs vaping, you can see there are many differences and similarities to consider.
Switching away from smoking can be hard, but it’s easier when you know you have a backup plan. Going cold turkey can make quitting much harder and using a new method will help you mentally and physically wean yourself off.
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