E-cigarettes and tobacco heaters compared: What are the differences?
Anyone who smokes now has a wide range of products to fall back on. In addition to the classic cigarette, more and more people are seen vaping instead of smoking. Then e-cigarettes or tobacco heaters are used – but how do the devices differ?
According to current surveys, there are around 17 million smokers in Germany. Although many continue to smoke classic cigarettes, electrical devices are becoming increasingly popular. Although e-cigarettes  and heated tobacco products are sometimes viewed as healthier forms of smoking, they also contain nicotine and harmful substances. These can also be  inhaled from passive smoking .
E-cigarettes: The electronic cigarette
Electric cigarettes, so-called e-cigarettes, have been around for a number of years and look very different from conventional cigarettes. You have an electric nebulizer with a battery and a cartridge that contains liquid (Liquid). If you take a puff through the mouthpiece, the liquid is nebulized and inhaled as vapor – this is why the use of e-cigarettes is also referred to as vaping and not smoking.
The liquid usually contains water, nebulizers, ethanol and nicotine. If you want to avoid nicotine, you can also use e-cigarettes without the alkaloid from the tobacco plant. A sweet, fruity scent is typical of e-cigarettes, as flavorings are often added to the liquid.
When the liquid is heated, harmful substances can be produced, some of which are carcinogenic. Inhaling the vapor can cause allergic reactions and irritation of the respiratory tract. To date, there have been no studies on the health risks associated with long-term use of e-cigarettes.
Tobacco heaters do not burn tobacco
The structure and function of a tobacco heater are similar to an e-cigarette. Instead of the liquid, however, heaters contain tobacco sticks (heatsticks) that contain nicotine and the humectant glycerin. In the electrical device, the stick is heated up to 350 °C. Vapor is produced which is inhaled by the user.
Similar to conventional cigarettes, the steam from tobacco heaters contains various pollutants such as tar or carbon monoxide – but sometimes to a lesser extent. Because the tobacco heaters do not burn the tobacco like normal cigarettes. So far it is known that the use of heated tobacco can reduce lung function and increase blood pressure. But here, too, there are no studies on the health effects of prolonged consumption.
Smoking should better be a stimulant
No matter which product you choose: everyone who smokes should be aware that all tobacco products have an impact on health. Anyone who finds it difficult to stop smoking can first try to reduce their consumption of the stimulant. A slow reduction is usually more promising than an abrupt end.