Vaping vs. Smoking Weed: Which Is Better for Your Lungs and Wallet?

Back in 2019, headlines were everywhere about vaping-related lung illnesses. It understandably made a lot of people question whether vaping cannabis was actually safe. But here’s the key distinction that often gets lost: those cases—now known as EVALI—were primarily linked to illicit, black-market THC cartridges containing additives like vitamin E acetate, not regulated cannabis products or dry herb vaporizers.

That distinction matters.

Vaporizing dry cannabis flower is fundamentally different from vaping oil cartridges, and both are very different from smoking. So if you’ve been wondering about vaping vs smoking cannabis, especially in Canada where legal, regulated options are available, this guide breaks it all down—from lung health to long-term cost.

What Is Smoking?

Smoking cannabis is the traditional method most people are familiar with. It involves combustion, where cannabis is burned at high temperatures (usually over 230°C), producing smoke that is inhaled.

Common Methods

• Joints
• Pipes
• Bongs

Pros

• Ritual & familiarity: Rolling and lighting up is part of the experience
• Immediate onset: Effects hit quickly
• Full-spectrum flavour: Some users prefer the “classic” taste

Cons

• Tar and carcinogens: Combustion creates harmful byproducts
• Strong smell: Lingers on clothes and in rooms
• Lung irritation: Can lead to coughing and bronchial irritation

Smoking gets the job done, but it comes with trade-offs—especially when it comes to respiratory health.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping cannabis involves heating without burning. Instead of combustion, vaporizers heat cannabis to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor.

Two Main Types

1. Dry Herb Vaporizers

• Use actual cannabis flower
• Heat via conduction or convection
• Provide a more natural, terpene-rich experience

2. Oil / Cartridge Vapes

• Use concentrated cannabis oil
• Often come in 510-thread cartridges or disposable pens
• Highly convenient and portable

How Heating Works

• Conduction: Direct contact with a heated surface
• Convection: Hot air passes through the cannabis

Pros

• Less smell: Dissipates quickly
• Smoother inhale: Less harsh than smoke
• More efficient: Extracts more cannabinoids
• Temperature control: Customize your experience

Cons

• Upfront cost: Devices can range from $50–$300+
• Learning curve: Finding your ideal temperature takes practice

Health Comparison: What Does the Research Say?

When comparing vaping vs smoking cannabis, health is usually the biggest concern.

Research gives us some useful insights:

• A 2004 study by Donald Tashkin found that cannabis smoking did not increase lung cancer risk in the same way tobacco does—but it did cause bronchitis-like symptoms such as coughing and phlegm.
• A 2015 study showed that people who switched to vaporizing reported fewer respiratory symptoms compared to smoking.

Why This Matters

• Combustion starts around 230°C
• Vaping stays below combustion, reducing exposure to harmful toxins

The EVALI Clarification

The 2019 EVALI outbreak was linked to unregulated THC cartridges containing vitamin E acetate—not legal Canadian cannabis products and not dry herb vaping.

👉 Bottom line:

• Smoking = more irritation and toxins
• Vaping (especially dry herb) = cleaner inhalation

Cost Analysis: Which Saves More Money?

Let’s talk dollars—because your lungs aren’t the only thing affected.

Smoking Efficiency

• Roughly 25–30% of cannabinoids are lost to sidestream smoke
• You literally burn money with each puff

Vaping Efficiency

• Extracts 80–90% of cannabinoids
• You use less cannabis for the same effect

Example

• $150 ounce (smoked) = ~$150 effective usage
• $150 ounce (vaped) = closer to $100 in effective value

Why? Because vaping stretches your stash significantly further.

Equipment Costs

• Vape device: $50–$300 (one-time)
• Smoking supplies: Rolling papers, lighters, filters (ongoing costs)

👉 Over time, vaping often becomes more cost-efficient, especially for daily users.

Flavour and Experience

This is where vaping really shines.

Terpene Preservation

Terpenes—the compounds responsible for aroma and flavour—are highly sensitive to heat.

• Smoking: Burns off many terpenes instantly
• Vaping: Preserves them at lower temperatures

Taste Comparison

• Smoking: Bold, smoky, sometimes harsh
• Vaping: Clean, nuanced, strain-specific

Session Differences

• Smoking: Quick, intense
• Vaping: Slower, more controlled sessions

Discretion Factor

• Vapor smells less
• Doesn’t cling to clothes
• Dissipates much faster

Product Availability in Canada

Canada has one of the most developed legal cannabis markets, giving consumers plenty of options.

Popular Dry Herb Vaporizer Brands

• Pax Labs
• Arizer
• Storz & Bickel (Mighty, Crafty)
• DynaVap

Vape Formats

• 510 cartridges: Widely available and convenient
• Disposable vapes: Fast-growing category
• Dry herb devices: Best for full-flower experience

👉 (Internal link: Vapes & cartridges collection)

The Verdict

So, when it comes to vaping vs smoking cannabis, which is better?

Choose Vaping If You:

• Care about lung health
• Want better flavour
• Use cannabis regularly
• Want to save money over time

Choose Smoking If You:

• Prefer tradition and ritual
• Use cannabis occasionally
• Enjoy the classic experience

Best of Both Worlds

Many users adopt a hybrid approach:

• Vape during the week
• Enjoy joints socially on weekends

For Medical Users

Vaping is often recommended by healthcare professionals because it reduces exposure to harmful byproducts of combustion.

FAQ

Does vaping smell?

Yes—but significantly less than smoking, and it fades much faster.

Is vaping weed legal in Canada?

Yes, as long as you’re using legal, regulated products.

Can you vape the same bud twice?

Yes! The leftover material is called AVB (Already Vaped Bud) and can be reused for edibles or capsules.

Final Thoughts

If your goal is to protect your lungs, stretch your budget, and get the most flavour out of your cannabis, vaping is hard to beat. That said, smoking still has its place—especially in social settings or for those who enjoy the ritual.

At the end of the day, the best choice comes down to your lifestyle, preferences, and how often you consume. But now that you understand the real differences, you can make that decision with confidence.