1. Lung Capacity
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes significantly reduces lung capacity and impairs oxygen uptake due to tar buildup and carbon monoxide. This leads to shortness of breath and poor endurance, making it difficult to perform high-intensity sports activities.
- Vaping: Vaping is often considered less harmful to lung capacity because it doesn't produce tar. However, some chemicals in e-liquids (like nicotine and certain flavors) can still irritate the lungs and affect breathing, but generally not as severely as smoking.
2. Oxygen Efficiency
- Smoking: Nicotine from cigarettes constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow to muscles and tissues, negatively affecting stamina, strength, and recovery time.
- Vaping: Nicotine in vapes can also affect oxygen flow, but the impact may be less severe due to the absence of many toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. For those using nicotine-free vapes, the impact is minimal on oxygen efficiency.
3. Recovery Time
- Smoking: Smoking slows down recovery times by impairing circulation, reducing the efficiency of muscle repair, and increasing inflammation.
- Vaping: Vaping without nicotine or with reduced nicotine levels may have a lesser effect on recovery time than smoking, as it avoids some harmful toxins, though it may still lead to minor respiratory irritation.
4. Stamina
- Smoking: Athletes who smoke tend to have much lower stamina and endurance due to decreased lung function, making it harder to perform for long periods.
- Vaping: Athletes who vape (especially without nicotine) may maintain better stamina compared to smokers, but frequent vaping can still have mild effects on performance due to possible irritation or dehydration of airways.
5. Heart Rate
- Smoking: Smoking increases resting heart rate, which can lead to elevated stress on the cardiovascular system during exercise.
- Vaping: Vaping, particularly with nicotine, can also increase heart rate, though the effects are typically less dramatic compared to smoking.
Vaping Options: Pod Vapes, Disposable Vapes, and Vape Price in Pakistan
Pod Vapes
- Description: Pod vapes are compact, refillable devices with detachable pods. They are designed for both nicotine salts and regular e-liquids.
- Pros: Refillable, better flavor options, customizable nicotine levels, long-term cost-effective.
- Cons: Requires maintenance (cleaning and refilling).
- Price in Pakistan: Ranges from 4,000 to 12,000 PKR, depending on the brand and model (e.g., Voopoo Argus Pod, Vaporesso XROS 4).
Disposable Vapes
- Description: Disposable vapes come pre-filled with e-liquid and are ready to use right out of the box. They are discarded after the e-liquid runs out.
- Pros: Easy to use, no maintenance, portable.
- Cons: Not environmentally friendly, limited flavor/nicotine options, more expensive over time.
- Price in Pakistan: Ranges from 1,200 to 6,000 PKR, depending on the puff count and brand (e.g., IVG 2400, Lost Mary BM600).
Vape Prices in Pakistan
Here are some typical price ranges for various vapes in Pakistan:
- Pod Vapes: 4,000 to 12,000 PKR
- Disposable Vapes: 1,200 to 6,000 PKR
- Popular Brands: Voopoo, Vaporesso, OXVA, Lost Mary, IVG, Pod Salt.
If you're an athlete or fitness enthusiast, it’s important to consider how both smoking and vaping can influence your sports performance, with vaping generally being the less harmful option but still worth monitoring, especially in relation to lung health.