A recent study by UCL researchers published in JAMA Network has revealed that children exposed to indoor vaping absorb significantly less nicotine than those exposed to indoor smoking, but more than those not exposed to either.
Vaping exposing children to second-hand nicotine
The study highlights that while second-hand exposure to e-cigarettes is lower than that of traditional tobacco, e-cigarettes still pose a risk due to the presence of nicotine and other harmful substances. The findings indicate that nicotine absorption from second-hand vapor is significantly lower than from second-hand smoke. However, exposure to non-nicotine harmful substances in vapor is also likely to be lower.
Dr. Harry Tattan-Birch from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care stated that nicotine absorption from second-hand vapor is significantly lower than from second-hand smoke. While nicotine itself presents a limited risk, the exposure to harmful substances in vapor is expected to be considerably less.
The study’s senior author Professor Lion Shahab, emphasized that smoking indoors around children should be completely avoided. While second-hand vaping poses lower risks, it still exposes children to more harmful substances compared to no exposure to vaping or smoking. As such, it is advisable to refrain from indoor vaping in the presence of children.
The study used data from the annual US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2017 and 2020. Blood tests measured cotinine levels, a byproduct of nicotine, to assess nicotine absorption in children. Children who had potentially vaped or smoked themselves were excluded from the analysis.
Kids exposed to indoor vaping absorb more nicotine
Findings showed that children exposed to indoor vaping absorbed 84% less nicotine than those exposed to indoor smoking, while children exposed to neither absorbed 97% less. The study also found that e-cigarettes do not generate aerosol aside from when users exhale, unlike traditional cigarettes that emit smoke continuously.
The researchers suggest that their findings could influence policies on indoor vaping, highlighting that the health impact on bystanders from vaping is much less than from smoking. However, they caution that allowing indoor vaping could normalize the behavior, potentially encouraging more people to start and continue vaping.
