The Other Side of Vaping: Secondhand Vaping Risks You Never Knew Existed
- S J
- Jun 15, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 23
When we are talking about vaping we should see the other side of it also; secondhand vaping first of all what is secondhand vaping? and what are the risks behind it?
Is there such a thing as a Secondhand Vaping?
Yes, secondhand vaping, is, indeed, a reality. When non-users inhale the aerosol which is more often referred to as the fume that e-cigarette clients exhale. Vape aerosol originates from e-liquid with nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals through heating. However, as people think it is not toxic, improvised content included in this aerosol can cause harm to health.
Secondhand aerosols from e-cigarettes cause young adults bronchitis symptoms and decrease their ability to breathe, although the study involved participants who have never smoked or vaped.
Is secondhand smoke from a vape just as harmful as secondhand smoke from a cigarette?
This question comes to mind often, and the answer is yes, it is harmful, but less than secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Evidence is beginning to mount that vaping carries many of the same health risks as smoking. Based on this, we should presume that passive vaping carries health risks.
Is there such a thing as a Thirdhand Smoking or Vaping ?
Yes, there's third-hand smoke and vaping aerosol, or the cocktail of toxins that stays long after a cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah, or electronic cigarette has been put out on carpets and walls, in furniture and blankets, in hair and clothes—and the list goes on. You know when you still feel the stink of cigarettes in a room even after all the smoke has been smoked off or when one is in a car or even with a person one specifically feels that the effect of the smoke is still evident even though no visible smoke is anymore?
Secondhand vaping and the health implications
Chemical Exposure
Nicotine- Though much less than that of smoke, second-hand vape aerosol exposes people to risk, particularly kids and expectant mothers. Increasing nicotine access to children can have negative impacts on their development as well as increase the chances of the child becoming a regular smoker in the future.
Ultrafine Particles- These can also get very deep into the lungs and even reach the blood circulation system, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Picture credit: nature.com
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Heavy Metals- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Heavy Metals: The aerosol can include hazardous chemicals for example, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, and heavy metals like lead, nickel, and tin that are dangerous as they can cause health complications including cancer and lung diseases.
2. Respiratory Irritation
Inhaling a secondhand aerosol can result in inflammation of the lungs and airways, and potentially cause or contribute to conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses.
3. Environmental Impact
The aerosol, which is a residue, can be another source of danger secondhand and even thirdhand to non-users; the main danger is in housing with young children, with the potential for hand-to-mouth contact with contaminated surfaces.
Picture Credit: https://www.sciencedirect.com
Is it safe to vape around a pregnant woman?
Nicotine can put your kids at risk here is how it can affect them
Exposure to Nicotine
Secondhand vapor also contains nicotine which is very harmful to fetal and children’s developing brains. For children, it became unhealthy for their development because health complications were evident in the region of cognition and behaviors.
Respiratory Problems
The vapor that is produced in e-cigarettes is very dangerous to young people particularly to their respiratory systems as it is known to cause asthma and other respiratory diseases among young persons.
Chemical Exposure
Other chemicals are also present in the vapor produced by e-cigarettes such as formalin, and acrolein, and if, for instance, a person breathes in these chemicals, he or she is more likely to fall ill.
Undeveloped Immune System
They are more vulnerable compared to adult people, given the fact that the immune system of children is incapable of combating the effects of toxins contained in second-hand vapors.
Increased Risk of Addiction
Precise exposure of a young person makes his or her chances of becoming nicotine dependent or substance dependent in the future very high.
Behavioral Influence
Seeing other people, and particularly adults, use vape devices generates a perception leading to use, given that youths will emulate the products they find adults using in the future.
Precautions to Minimize Risks
Creating Vape-Free Zones
There are ways one can minimize secondhand vaping, just like smoke-free policies; homes, cars, and all common areas can also be vape-free. There is nothing about this that particularly has to be done. However, it is crucial in places that are commonly visited by children, the aged, or persons with chronic health conditions.
2. Public Education and Awareness
More awareness should be created of the potential risks of vaping. Another benefit is concerning the campaigns that would help the general public in general thus appealing for manners and more politely acceptable behaviors, especially to the vapers to avoid intruding on the rights of other people especially when vapers are taking their puffs or simply request the vapers to be considerate to people around them.
3. Ventilation
Some of the simple strategies that could help in reducing the risk include; enhancing cross ventilation in the areas where vaping occurs; this could help in diffusing the aerosol and thus reducing the risk of having a concentrated amount of the chemical. However, ventilation should not be seen as the cure to the problem equally as an improvement but an addition.
Picture credit: https://www.who.int
4. Policy and Regulation
Thus, encouraging the authorities to expand the legislation that specifies the areas where vaping is allowed and at the same time, similar to that which smoking is prohibited, will significantly provide for the protection of the general public. This covers the use of e-cigs and vapor-producing electronic cigarettes in areas of any establishment that are fully enclosed or partially enclosed and any room within or within a set distance from doors and windows.
5. Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs)
For the persons who are leaving this habit, convincing NRTs like patches, gum, or lozenges that do not cover secondhand emissions will be an easy call for the users as well as for those who are receiving the emissions.
Discover alternative methods for quitting vaping. Sign up online at https://www.vapeless.life/ and embark on your journey to a vape-free life.
Reference
Tate Gunnerson, American Heart Association News, May 31, 2022,In secondhand vape, scientists smell risk
BlackDoctor+org Where Wellness & Culture Connect, Even if You Don’t Vape Your Health Could Be at Risk, Here’s Why, https://blackdoctor.org/even-if-you-dont-vape-your-health-could-be-at-risk-heres-why/
American Thoracic Society, March 2020, What are Second and Third-hand Smoke and Vaping Aerosols?, https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/second-hand-smoke.pdf
George D. Leikauf, Sang-Heon Kim &An-Soo Jang Experimental & Molecular Medicine, 2020, Mechanisms of ultrafine particle-induced respiratory health effects, https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-020-0394-0
Comments