Nicotine Inhaler vs Vaping - What’s the Difference?

Nicotine inhalers (otherwise known as ‘nicotine inhalators’) and vapes are two very different products, intended for different types of adult smokers looking to quit or switch away from cigarettes.

These two products are not to be chosen between but are instead designed for two entirely different situations. Read on to learn more about what these different scenarios are, and which product might be right for you.

What is a Nicotine Inhaler?

A nicotine inhaler is an aid that adult smokers can use to support them to quit smoking. They’re one of many Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) types. These products are made of a plastic tube and mouthpiece - with replaceable nicotine cartridges that slot within the nicotine inhaler’s external casing. Adult users draw on the product’s mouthpiece for a nicotine experience.

These products mimic the same hand-to-mouth motion associated with smoking. Nicotine inhalers can be purchased from pharmacies, online, and in certain shops. They can also be available via prescription from the doctor.

What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?

Nicotine Replacement Therapy is an umbrella name for a range of recognised, licensed products that help adult smokers stop smoking. NRTs are all licensed products that provide low levels of nicotine, and without some of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke (including tar and carbon monoxide).

There are a wide range of different NRTs available, including the following:

•Chewing gum

•Lozenges 

•Tablets

•Oral strips 

•Nasal and mouth spray

•Skin patches

All NRTs deliver nicotine differently. Some may deliver it slower than others, and sometimes, you can use a combination of NRTs. 

Nicotine Inhaler vs Vaping

Nicotine inhalers differ from vaping in a lot of ways and should not be confused as the same product. 

NRTs like nicotine inhalers are recognised smoking cessation aids, whereas the vast majority of vapes currently available in the UK are not. Adult smokers should use nicotine inhalers to help them stop smoking and nicotine use entirely. In comparison, vapes are purely an alternative choice to continued smoking. If you would otherwise continue to smoke, vape products provide a convenient smoke-free alternative.

Therefore, nicotine inhalers should be used by adult smokers looking to quit smoking, whereas vapes should be used by those who would otherwise continue to smoke. Of course, the best decision for any adult smoker is to quit nicotine and tobacco use entirely.

Can I Use a Vape to Stop Smoking?

Vapes are not smoking cessation aids and are only smoke-free alternatives for those who would otherwise continue to smoke. Vapes are a better choice for those that would otherwise continue to smoke because they emit far fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke. 

For example, VEEV ONE emits on average 99% lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*

* “99% less” represents the average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to the smoke of a reference cigarette. See Important Information on IQOS.com.

If you’re an adult smoker looking to quit smoking and nicotine for good, there are a range of online sources to explore nicotine inhalers, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy more widely. 

For those who would otherwise continue to smoke, you can find out more about vapes in our articles like ‘Is Vaping Safe?’ and ‘The Benefits of Vaping Instead of Smoking’. You can also learn more about the VEEV product line via our Discover Vaping page.

Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.  

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.