Sobering simulation shows true impact smoking and vaping for one month has on your lungs
There's nothing we science boffins love more than a good simulation and when the results are particularly harrowing, it's even better.
Well, one lad on YouTube decided simulate how one month of smoking and vaping can impact the lungs.
It was only a few years ago that vaping was seen as the perfect way for smokers to finally quit nicotine for good, and if taken in regulation, the NHS still stresses that it can be an effective way to ditch the cigarettes.
Unfortunately, in 2025, kids puffing on watermelon-flavoured smoke has become the new norm every time you walk down the street, and it can often have some disastrous consequences.
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'Popcorn lung' is just one of the problems that can arise from excessive vaping, so it is perhaps no surprise that the UK ban on disposable vapes will come into place later this year.
However, when taken in moderation, it is still the lesser of two evils compared to smoking, as can be seen in the video from popular YouTuber Chris Notap.
In his brief video, he stuffs some cotton balls inside a jar and then feeds through vape and cigarette smoke into each of the jars. Over the course of a month, the balls are subject to 600 cigarettes (30 packs) and 120ml of vape liquid, which is around 60 vapes.
After the month was over, one jar was looking pretty disgusting, while the cotton balls in the vape jar are certainly looking a lot clearer.
Now, Chris stresses that 'your lungs were only meant for one thing and that's air', but there's a clear winner from his simulation.
The jar which was subject to traditional cigarettes was covered in black tar, which Chris says appeared after just 10 packs, while the pump was ruined after 20 packs due to the heavy build up.
He also felt physically ill when finally opening the jar after a month.
He said: "The smell inside the smoking dome at the end was vile. I felt quite ill afterwards. Can't imagine how a smoker feels on a daily basis."
If you're a long-term smoker or someone who vapes, and you're worried that there's no turning back, then there is. You'll probably feel better pretty quickly, if this lad's experience of going cold turkey is accurate.
So, the consensus is, vaping is better than smoking but, like many things in life, you still need to be sensible about it. And maybe don't pick up a vape if you've never smoked.
James Moorhouse