July 11, 2024

expert reaction to study finding that second-hand vaping exposure to nicotine is very low compared to second-hand smoking

A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at second-hand nicotine exposure and second-hand smoking.

Prof Peter Hajek, Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Director of the Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:

“Cigarettes release nicotine and a number of more serious toxicants into the environment, primarily when the cigarette burns in-between the puffs. In contrast, vapes release only exhaled nicotine that has not been absorbed by the vaper, and no combustion products. The study confirms that, as expected, the amount of nicotine exhaled by vapers, that children and other bystanders are exposed to, is negligible. ‘Passive vaping’ is unlikely to pose any health risks, but vapers should of course respect that others may dislike the smell or the sight of the aerosol from their devices.”

‘Secondhand Nicotine Absorption From E-Cigarette Vapor vs Tobacco Smoke in Children’ by Harry Tattan-Birch et al. was published in JAMA Network Open at 16:00 UK Time Thursday 11 July.

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.21246

Declared interests

Prof Hajek: No conflicts of interest.