Smoking vs. Vaping Weed: Know the Facts Hackensack Meridian Health Vaping is the act of inhaling a heated, aerosolized substance. It is critical to distinguish vaping from smoking. Smoking is the inhalation of a burned substance. The main difference between the two E Cigarettes, Vapes, and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) FDA Links to E Cigarette Resources American Lung Association