Here's the honest assessment: if you are an adult who currently smokes cigarettes, the evidence suggests that switching completely to an FDA-authorized vaping product can substantially reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. The menthol-flavored versions appear to produce higher switching rates than tobacco-flavored alternatives across multiple studies.

But the key word is completely. Dual use — continuing to smoke while also vaping — does not provide the same degree of health benefit. The FDA, the cardiovascular review, and the biomarker evidence all converge on this point: the harm reduction happens when combustion stops, not when it's reduced.

This is not a medical recommendation. It is a summary of what the current evidence shows — and what it doesn't. If you are considering switching, talk to your healthcare provider about what approach is right for your individual circumstances.