Combustion vs. Vaporisation in Nicotine Delivery

If you’ve been a smoker for any length of time or have looked at tobacco alternatives like vaping, you have probably heard of two products that provide nicotine delivery: combustion and vaporisation. While both have their loyal followers, the health implications, convenience, and user experience are entirely different between the two.

In this short article, we have covered the basics of these two nicotine delivery methods, explaining how each one works and how they affect the overall nicotine experience. 

The idea here is to help you figure out which product may be best for you. Towards the end, we will present a far better solution to both products in the form of our very own NEAFS, a popular and far healthier alternative to smoking and vaping. More on that later.

For now, let’s run through the basics of combustion and vaporisation-based products before looking at the main differences.

What Is Combustion?

Combustion is an old-school method of nicotine delivery that’s been around for centuries in one form or another. In layman’s terms, it is merely the process of burning a substance – whether that’s tobacco in cigarettes or other products like cigars or pipe tobacco. 

When tobacco burns, nicotine is released along with several thousand ghastly chemicals, some of which include wonderfully terrifying names such as formaldehyde, arsenic, carbon monoxide, and benzine, among others.

Nicotine itself isn’t a particularly troublesome substance. The problem is that traditional cigarettes burn at roughly 900°C (1,652°F), which is where most of the trouble begins. 

Along with nicotine, the combustion process contributes to lung diseases, heart conditions – and a laundry list of other health problems – thanks to those ghastly toxins we just mentioned.

Key Takeaways of Combustion:

• Requires burning tobacco, releasing nicotine along with harmful chemicals.
• Produces smoke, tar, and ash.
• Well-documented health risks such as cancer and respiratory issues.
• Strong odour and visible smoke make it less discreet.

What Is Vaporisation?

Vaporisation is a newer method that involves heating a product to a lower temperature than combustion. Instead of burning the material, Vaporisation heats it to the point where it releases an aerosol or vapour, which is then inhaled by the user. Vaporisation is known colloquially as vaping.

This method is far less intense than combustion, generally heating materials to around 350°C (662°F), allowing users to get their nicotine hit without many of the harmful byproducts associated with burning.

Vaporisation is widely celebrated as a cleaner, more efficient method, popularised in the form of vaping devices and e-cigarettes. But there is an important caveat to consider: vaporising nicotine usually relies on liquids or specialised products, and while it eliminates smoke and tar, it isn’t without its risks.

These risks are fueled by poorly regulated products with unregulated chemical flavourings produced in far-flung factories with less appropriate manufacturing standards. 

While specific illnesses such as the notorious popcorn lung have been largely debunked, there are other problems associated with vaping, such as respiratory issues, chronic bronchitis, and even (in rare cases) chemical-induced pneumonia linked to poor-quality vaping products.

Key Points of Vaporisation

• Heats materials to produce a vapour rather than smoke.
• Lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to combustion.
• Reduces tar, smoke, and ash but isn’t completely risk-free.
• Often seen as a more modern and convenient method for nicotine delivery.

Which Product Is Better?

Essentially, while both items are severely flawed and pose various risks, combustion-based products like smoking are by far the most health-endangering. To be candid, with so many excellent tobacco alternatives available, there really is no credible excuse to smoke any more.

Of those tobacco alternatives, vaping is one of the more popular solutions. Thanks to the elimination of toxin-rich smoke and lung-plastering tar, vaping is far better for you than smoking. 

However, vaping is certainly not without its problems and does present health risks of its own. While it is a far ‘healthier’ alternative to smoking cigarettes or pipe tobacco, you might suitably describe vaping as the lesser of two evils. 

NEAFS Uses Neither Combustion Nor Vaporisation

This brings us neatly to our final point, in which we present a much better solution for both combustion and vaporisation: our very own nicotine and nicotine-free NEAFS, used in our ingenious TEO device.

NEAFS provides a clever approach to nicotine delivery that doesn’t fall into the trap of vaporisation or combustion. Our TEO device uses an electronic heating system that gently heats cellulose blend sticks to around 350°C. 

Sophisticated System

Instead of burning tobacco leaves, NEAFS sticks use a sophisticated blend of natural ingredients to create an aerosol that can be inhaled.

Unlike combustion, NEAFS doesn’t produce tar, ash, or harmful smoke, and unlike many Vaporisation products, it doesn’t involve e-liquids or chemical additives like propylene glycol. 

Ultimately, NEAFS delivers the best of both worlds: the satisfaction of nicotine without the nastiness of burning or the complexities of vaping liquids.

Factor	Combustion	Vaporisation	NEAFS
Temp	~900°C	~350°C	~350°C
Byproducts	Smoke, tar, carbon monoxide, chemicals	Aerosol with reduced chemicals	No smoke, tar, or harmful chemicals
Nicotine	Fast but with toxic byproducts	Fast, less harmful	Smooth, controlled, and less harmful
Convenience	Traditional, but smelly and noticeable	Convenient, discreet, and cleaner	Discreet, no smell, and clean
Health Factors	Cancer, lung disease, heart problems	Fewer risks, but still not harmless	Significantly reduced health risks

Bottom Line

We are all aware of the dangers of smoking, thanks to the awful tar, smoke, and various other toxic chemicals. Vaporisation is mercifully free of those risks, but it’s not without its own issues – especially when it comes to the ingredients in vape liquids.

NEAFS is simply a far better alternative, delivering a magnificent experience without the harmful effects of burning or the potential unknowns of vaping chemicals. 

If you are after a smoother, cleaner experience with minimal health risks, NEAFS provides an amazing solution that you are almost certain to enjoy. 

With a variety of flavours and both nicotine and nicotine-free options, NEAFS could be the solution you have been waiting for. 

Check out our full NEAFS range and make the switch today! If you are a smoker, it might even be the best move you have ever made.