Is Breathing in Secondhand Vape Smoke Harmful?

The air was thick, a cloud of vapor lingering around as I stepped into the room. It smelled sweet, fruity even. For a second, I thought, "This isn't so bad, right?" But then the deeper questions began to surface: What’s actually in that vapor? And could it be harmful to people around, just like secondhand cigarette smoke? What I was about to find out would change my perspective on the dangers of vaping forever.

Let me take you back a few years. When e-cigarettes first hit the market, they were hailed as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking. No more toxic tar, fewer chemicals, and for smokers, an easier path to quitting cigarettes altogether. But soon, a new problem began to emerge. Non-smokers, standing by or living with vapers, started asking the critical question: Am I safe breathing in this stuff?

In those early days, there wasn’t much research to answer that question. But in recent years, science has started catching up, and the answers aren’t as innocent as we might’ve hoped.

The Composition of Vape Smoke

One of the big misunderstandings around vaping is that people believe it's just water vapor. But that’s far from the truth. In fact, e-cigarette vapor contains nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and other substances like propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin that act as carriers for the nicotine. While the concentrations of harmful chemicals might be lower compared to cigarette smoke, the risks are still present.

A study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that secondhand e-cigarette exposure does contain harmful chemicals. These include:

• Nicotine: The addictive substance found in both traditional cigarettes and vapes.
• Ultrafine particles: These can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Chemicals that can cause irritation to the lungs and airways.
• Diacetyl: A chemical often used to flavor vapes, which has been linked to severe lung conditions like "popcorn lung."

Now, you might wonder if these levels are high enough to be of concern. After all, we aren’t talking about sitting next to a chain smoker, right? Well, the truth is, even lower levels of exposure can lead to long-term health problems, especially for vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Health Risks of Secondhand Vape Smoke

1. Nicotine Absorption
   Studies have shown that bystanders exposed to secondhand vape smoke can absorb nicotine into their system. While the levels are lower than what you’d find from secondhand cigarette smoke, they’re still present, and nicotine is not a benign substance. It’s addictive, can increase heart rates, and affects brain development in adolescents.

2. Respiratory Issues
   Vaping aerosols can irritate the respiratory system. The chemicals found in the vapor, including propylene glycol, can dry out the throat and cause irritation in the lungs. For individuals with asthma or other lung conditions, secondhand exposure to these chemicals can trigger attacks or worsen symptoms.

3. Heart Disease
   While research is ongoing, there’s concern that exposure to nicotine and other harmful particles from secondhand vaping could increase the risk of heart disease. Studies on secondhand smoke from cigarettes have already established a connection, and early data suggests that vaping might follow a similar trend.

4. Impact on Children and Infants
   Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke, including from vapes. Their lungs are still developing, and exposure to chemicals found in vape aerosols can have a long-term impact on their respiratory health. In one alarming case, a study found traces of nicotine on the surfaces in homes where vaping occurred, meaning even indirect exposure through contaminated surfaces can pose a risk.

The Regulatory Gap and Public Health Concerns

While many places have strict regulations on cigarette smoking in public spaces, vaping often falls into a grey area. This is partly because the risks of secondhand exposure weren’t clear when e-cigarettes were first introduced. But as evidence mounts, some cities and countries are beginning to rethink their approach. Bans on vaping in public spaces are starting to gain traction, and workplaces and schools are also adjusting their policies.

Still, a significant portion of the population remains unaware of the risks. Public health campaigns focused on vaping typically emphasize the dangers for the smoker, but there needs to be greater awareness around secondhand exposure.

What Can You Do?

If you’re concerned about secondhand vape smoke, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others:

• Set clear boundaries: If you live with someone who vapes, establish smoke-free zones in your home.
• Encourage outdoor vaping: This minimizes the concentration of chemicals indoors.
• Use air purifiers: These can help reduce airborne particles, although they won’t eliminate the risks entirely.
• Advocate for policy changes: Support local efforts to regulate vaping in public places, especially in schools and areas where children are present.

The Big Picture: A Risk We Can’t Ignore

Vaping might be less harmful than traditional cigarettes for smokers, but the narrative shifts when we talk about non-smokers. Secondhand vape smoke isn’t harmless, and the risks, though lower, are real. As more research emerges, it's becoming increasingly clear that we need to treat vaping with the same caution we apply to traditional smoking. Whether you're vaping or standing nearby, being aware of what you're inhaling is crucial for long-term health.

Just because the vape clouds look less ominous than cigarette smoke doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding dangerous chemicals. The next time someone blows a thick cloud of sweet-smelling vapor your way, you might want to take a step back—not just for your comfort but for your health.