The term “second hand smoke” is probably familiar to most people – traditionally associated with cigarette smoke, early research shows vaping may cause similar problems. Are we looking at a future where vapers join the smoking club outside, and at least 50 feet from doorways?
The Annual Review of Public Health published an article way back in 2020 raising concerns about secondhand vape smoke where they found vapers exhale 70% of their puff’s aerosols – enough to cause secondhand exposure. Aerosols contain extremely small solid and liquid particles suspended in the air called Particulate Matter (PM). PM is so small it goes directly into our lungs and bloodstreams. This can cause breathing problems or illness for vapers and those around them.
Secondhand vape smoke may also contain particles that cause canceer. The article says, “The likely sources of trace metals, especially those with relatively higher concentrations (i.e., chromium, aluminum, and copper), are the metal-coated wires of the heating coils . Inhaling trace metals may irritate the respiratory system and impair respiration. Cadmium, lead, chromium, arsenic, and nickel are also classified as human carcinogens . Two studies found nicotine-derived nitrosamines in e-cig aerosols, such as N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) , which are strong carcinogens that may cause lung and oral cancers .”
For more information about coil leaching, check out our article on this page called “Are Vapes More Toxic Than Cigarettes?”
Mitigating Secondhand Vape Smoke
Vapers can reduce the risk to others in their household, office or other indoor environments by:
· Avoid vaping indoors – especially around pregnant women or small children since they are especially vulnerable to the effects of the PM in vape smoke.
· Ventilate the room – use a fan in the window to blow vape smoke outside, open doors and windows before vaping or buy a HEPA air purifier
· Reduce puffs – if you’re hitting your vape a lot, fans won’t be able to keep up and you will need a high-end (expensive) HEPA air purifier. Avoiding puffs when around at-risk friends and relatives is the best solution.
Plus, summer is a great time to start reducing your puffs, then you’ll be in control for the winter months when you’re stuck inside!
If you want to reduce puffs and save money on both vapes and air purifiers — its time to take the next step and completely get off nic. Our patented RipLok solution combines a phone app with a smart vape case and creates a custom quit plan based on your lifestyle to wean you off the nic and put you back in control!.
Get the RipLok app today and pre-order RipLok’s smart vape case for delivery this fall on Indiegogo