Smoke and Vapor | Understanding the Difference

If you've spent any time in the vaping community, you’ve probably heard people refer to the cloud produced by vapers as “vape smoke” or simply “smoke.” These comments often come from a place of concern but can reflect a lack of understanding about what vaping actually entails and what it produces. Despite their visual similarities, smoke and vapor are fundamentally different substances that should not be confused with one another.

Before diving into the scientific differences between smoke and vapor, it’s helpful to start with basic definitions to clarify how these terms differ from each other.

Defining Smoke

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, smoke is defined as “the gaseous products of burning materials, especially of organic origin, made visible by the presence of small particles of carbon.” The critical term here is “burning,” which implies that a substance undergoes combustion or pyrolysis. This process drastically alters the chemical makeup of the material, producing various new chemicals as it burns. Essentially, when a substance is ignited, it releases numerous byproducts contained in the smoke.

Defining Vapor

Vapor, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state.” Although this definition may seem concise, it underscores that vapor is simply a substance in its gaseous form, retaining the same molecules as it had in its liquid or solid state without undergoing a chemical transformation.

It’s worth noting that what a vaporizer actually produces is an aerosol. Aerosols are generally described as “a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas.” This definition more accurately captures the process occurring within an e-cigarette. When the e-liquid is vaped, it transforms into tiny particles that are suspended in the air. These particles, being liquid, are fundamentally different from the solid particles found in smoke.

Despite this technical distinction, the term “vapor” is commonly used among vapers to describe what is produced by an e-cigarette, so we’ll continue using the term for clarity.

Exploring the Differences Between Smoke and Vapor

In the simplest terms, when you light a cigarette, you produce smoke, whereas vaping an e-liquid results in vapor. Although they may look similar, the similarities end there. Smoke and vapor have different compositions and properties.

Composition Differences

The primary commonality between tobacco smoke and e-liquid vapor is the presence of nicotine. However, tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including over 70 known carcinogens that are harmful to inhale. Although e-cigarette vapor is often mistakenly referred to as water vapor, it doesn’t contain water. Instead, e-liquids are composed of vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), nicotine, and food-grade flavorings. With the exception of nicotine, these components have been deemed “safe to ingest” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the safety of inhaling these substances remains a subject of ongoing research.

Differences in Smell

Anyone who has been around smokers can attest to the lingering odor of cigarette smoke. The smell can stick to surfaces and fabrics, often unnoticed by the smoker but easily detected by others. In contrast, vapor clouds from e-cigarettes, although denser and slower to dissipate, do not leave a lasting aroma. Once the vapor has settled, it leaves behind little evidence of its presence and rarely results in any lasting scent.

Residue Differences

Smoking eventually leaves stains on furniture, walls, and fabrics, creating unsightly marks and a persistent odor. These stains and smells are the result of the chemicals released during combustion. On the other hand, vaping tends to leave a slight film on glass surfaces, primarily due to the VG and PG in the vapor. This residue is easily removed with standard household cleaners and doesn’t stain fabrics or other materials.

Temperature Differences

The burning coal of a cigarette can reach temperatures of around 1,112°F (600°C), rising to 1,652°F (900°C) when puffed. Although the smoke itself quickly cools to room temperature, the burning coal generates a side-stream of smoke that increases the temperature around the cigarette. In contrast, e-cigarettes heat the e-liquid to much lower temperatures, generally not exceeding 482°F (200°C). This means that the vapor produced is significantly cooler than the surrounding air, making it a more comfortable and less intrusive option for those around the vaper.

Matt Ramage - The Vapor Bar