Vaping & Lung Health: Comparing with Smoking Understanding the Risks of Vaping on Lung Health How to Inhale Exhale Your Vape *NO COUGHING* Smoking and vaping are often compared, but neither is harmless. While they work differently, both can expose the lungs to addictive nicotine and harmful chemicals that impact breathing and overall health. Smoking The safest vape is the one you never start. Flavoured vapes were designed to feel harmless: Candy taste. Fruit smell. Cool packaging. Viral aesthetics. But your lungs don't care about the flavour.