Vaping FAQs

is there smoke in the air when someone is vaping

by Tamara Graham Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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E-cigarettes also involve secondhand “smoke,” since users exhale potentially infectious vapors.Jul 16, 2021

Full Answer

Is vaping the same as smoke?

Regardless of how vaping or vapor looks, smoke is something totally different. It’s understandable if someone is concerned or curious about vapor’s effect on health, or even if second hand vapor is dangerous. But let’s call a spade a spade and not a gardening tool. How are smoke and vapor different?

Can You Breathe in e-cigarette smoke?

Just like people around smokers can breathe in cigarette smoke, it’s possible to breathe in e-cigarette aerosol if you’re around someone vaping. This is called secondhand vaping, and there isn't a lot of published research yet on how inhaling this aerosol affects the body, especially among adolescents.

Can You Breathe secondhand vaping smoke?

Secondhand Vaping Just like people around smokers can breathe in cigarette smoke, it’s possible to breathe in e-cigarette aerosol if you’re around someone vaping. This is called secondhand vaping, and there isn't a lot of published research yet on how inhaling this aerosol affects the body, especially among adolescents.

How does vaping affect air quality?

Particles from vaping, which are liquid rather than solid like smoke particles, don’t seem to affect air quality at all.

What is third hand smoke?

What percentage of people with asthma report vaping?

What is the chemical in second hand vape aerosol?

Why are vapes dangerous for children?

How to quit smoking cigarettes?

Does vaping aerosol absorb nicotine?

Is vape aerosol harmful?

See 4 more

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Mayo Clinic Minute: Secondhand electronic cigarette smoke

Secondhand cigarette smoke is a combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. But what about exposure to secondhand electronic cigarette smoke? Watch: The Mayo Clinic […]

Is Secondhand Vaping Something to be Concerned About?

By Brianna McCabe. You don’t have to dig deep into a Google search for ‘is secondhand cigarette smoking dangerous?’ to find a scientific study or credible article reinforcing that it is, in fact, a massive risk to your health. …But what about secondhand vaping? According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, 40% of U.S. adults believe that children’s exposure ...

What happens if you inhale diacetyl?

Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult. Popcorn lung has no lasting treatment. There are, however, treatments that manage BO symptoms, such as: 1 Coughing 2 Wheezing 3 Chest pain 4 Shortness of breath

What is a vape pen?

With vaping, a device (typically a vape pen or a mod — an enhanced vape pen — that may look like a flash drive) heats up a liquid ( called vape juice or e -liquid) until it turns into a vapor that you inhale. “Vaping is a delivery system similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may be familiar with,” says Broderick. ...

What to do if your lung hurts?

What to Do If Your Lungs Hurt. If you smoke or vape, don’t brush off chest or lung pain as something that’s normal. If you have pain or other symptoms associated with breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath and chronic cough, it’s important to see a doctor.

What is the condition called when you get sick from eating popcorn?

“Popcorn lung” is another name for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a rare condition that results from damage of the lungs’ small airways. BO was originally discovered when popcorn factory workers started getting sick. The culprit was diacetyl, a food additive used to simulate butter flavor in microwave popcorn.

Does diacetyl help with popcorn lung?

Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult. Popcorn lung has no lasting treatment. There are, however, treatments that manage BO symptoms, such as:

What is the chemical that can damage your lungs?

Acrolein: Most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage lungs.

What is the food additive used to deepen e-cigarette flavors?

Diacetyl: This food additive, used to deepen e-cigarette flavors, is known to damage small passageways in the lungs.

How does an e-cigarette work?

E-cigarette devices use metal coils to heat the vaping fluid, and over time, small amounts of metals can sometimes get into the aerosol after repeated use at high temperatures. 6 . While the person vaping will breathe in the full brunt of these toxins, some will be exhaled into the air.

What is the compound that is absorbed by the lungs?

Formaldehyde: This is a compound created when solvents like propylene glycol and glycerin are heated up by the vaping device. It’s readily absorbed by the lungs and can be toxic—possibly even cancer-causing—in high doses. 3

How does second hand smoking affect the world?

Secondhand smoking kills tens of thousands of people every year in the United States alone. It can cause sudden infant death syndrome and lung issues in children. In adults, it can lead to serious health conditions later in life, such as stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer—even in people who never smoked themselves. 1

How many states are banning smoking in 2020?

According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, as of January 2020, 19 states and over 900 municipalities have included e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices in their laws and policies banning smoking in certain environments, such as schools or workplaces. 11 .

What is acrolein in e-cigarettes?

Acrolein: This is a compound made when glycerin is heated by the coils in an e-cigarette. It can irritate the respiratory tract, including the delicate tissue of the lungs. 4

Is vaping bad for you?

There isn’t a lot of research done on the health harms of secondhand vaping. Early studies suggest that the risks posed by secondhand vaping are substantially lower than secondhand smoking, but that's a low bar considering how hard cigarette smoke is on the body. The aerosol produced by electronic cigarettes and other aerosolizers can still contain potentially dangerous toxins, including nicotine. We don’t yet know how these toxins affect the body long-term, particularly for young children who are exposed to vaping aerosol for many years and during crucial periods of development.

Is second hand vaping bad for you?

Secondhand Vaping as a Gateway. In addition to the still uncertain health risks associated with breathing in e-cigarette aerosol, being around people who vape could have other consequences—particularly for adolescents who are more likely to be influenced by social norms and visual cues.

Is there such thing as “vape smoke”?

There’s no “vapor smoke” and someone who vapes is not smoking vapor. Regardless of how vaping or vapor looks, smoke is something totally different. It’s understandable if someone is concerned or curious about vapor’s effect on health, or even if second hand vapor is dangerous. But let’s call a spade a spade and not a gardening tool.

What is the difference between a cigarette and an e-liquid?

Lighting a cigarette will produce smoke, while vaporizing e-liquid will produce vapor (aerosol). Outside of their visual similarities, smoke and vapor don’t have much in common. They are very different in composition, and behave in very distinct ways. Here’s how these substances differ to each other in a nutshell.

How long does smoke smell last in a room?

The smell of smoke lingers in the room for a long time, unlike vapor. Smokers might not notice it that easily, but vapers and non-smokers can recognize the smell in a closed room for hours after a cigarette has been smoked.

What temperature does cigarette coal get?

The temperature of the cigarette coal is around 1112 F (600 C) when resting, rising to 1652 F (900 C) when taking a puff. While smoke rapidly reaches room temperature when inhaled and exhaled (mainstream smoke), the smoke that gets produced on the coal itself (sidestream smoke) will raise the peripheral temperature, especially when the cigarette is becoming smaller.

What temperature does e-cigarette smoke come out?

E-cigarettes, on the other hand, vaporize e-liquid at much lower temperatures, usually not higher than 482 F (200 C). As a result, the exhaled vapor is much cooler, coming out at a temperature lower than the surrounding room air. Try exhaling on your arm, and you’ll see for yourself.

What is vapor in chemistry?

According to Wikipedia, vapor “is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing the pressure on it without reducing the temperature.”

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The Vaping360 team is a diverse group of experienced vaping contributors. We strive to bring you the finest content on all things vaping. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more!

What is secondhand vaping?

Secondhand vaping is exactly what it sounds like: if you're near a person breathing out vapor from an e-cigarette, you generally breathe in the same air that they're exhaling and can inhale the same vapor.

Can second hand vaping cause respiratory irritation?

Those with pre-existing lung or breathing conditions are also at a greater risk: If you have asthma or a related condition, the effects of secondhand vaping may be heightened. The aerosol in vapor can cause throat and respiratory irritation, so if you're already feeling a little sick or have a sore throat, you could feel much worse.

What to do if someone uses e-cigarettes?

If someone close to you, like a parent, caretaker or coworker, uses e-cigarettes, you can kindly ask them to stop while you're around. Frame it as a way to protect both your health and theirs, and hopefully they'll respect your wishes.

Why is it harder for teens to remove themselves from social situations?

Teenagers are typically much more impressionable to peer pressure than their older counterparts, so it's harder for many of them to remove themselves from social situations that pose a health risk. Personally, I was already so embarrassed by just being in middle school that I can't imagine speaking up if I saw someone using an e-cigarette.

Is vaping a health risk?

E-cigarettes can emit a huge cloud of vapor that can affect an entire crowd of people. Getty Images. When vaping first gained popularity, it was marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, a recent surge in illnesses, hospitalizations -- and even deaths -- has shown that there may be much scarier health risks associated ...

Does vaping harm the lungs?

The vapor can also harm bystanders ' lungs and contribute to lasting damage ...

Does vapor contain nicotine?

Another study from 2018 found that the vapor not only contains nicotine, but also heavy metals, aldehyde and glycerin, even though vaporizer companies try to paint these products as healthier in every way. These chemicals contribute to the health risk posed by secondhand vaping.

How long does a vape smell last?

This is not the case with smoking since smoke is heavier and denser than vapor. That’s why the smell lingers long even when the area has proper ventilation. Smoking produces volatile organic compounds that stay longer in the air. Vaping, on the other hand, only needs a window open for the smell to dissipate into the air after a few minutes. Even when the window is shut, the smell won’t last longer than ten minutes. When you are vaping outdoors, it is not possible for the smell to linger and it is quite difficult to notice.

What does vaping smell like?

Ninety-nine percent of the time, the smell of vaping comes from the flavor of the e-liquid. Most of the time the smell is inviting instead of revolting. It may even let you crave pudding or ice cream. When you vape indoors the fog of vapor may linger for a while but not for long. Vapor is less dense than cigarette smoke for as long as within a properly ventilated area.

How do you know if someone is vaping?

You may find refillable pods or disposable ones, vape juice or e-juice, coils, atomizers, chargers, and lithium-ion batteries. Some vaping devices have a discrete appearance, looking like benign objects. JUUL for one has become successful in the market due to its USB-looking design, which can be hidden and charged secretly. Some manufacturers are also designing vaping devices that resemble pens, watches, markers, and other more common objects.

What is the slang for vaping?

You have to be familiar with some slang and jargon that relate to vaping. Chances are you will hear them from anyone in your family. These include Mods, Mod life, JUULing, JUUL Life, Vape Gang, Vape Society, Clouds Bro, and Clouds.

Why do people vape?

One of the most important benefits that people look for in vaping is its discreetness. You don’t want to bother other people with the smell coming from your vaporizer. Vaporization produces less smell than other methods of combustion. In fact, an odor that comes from vaporizing is 20 percent of the scent that comes from smoking. Vaporizing keeps most of the vapor inside the vaper’s mouth, lungs, or in the device. Only less of the produced smell is out there in the air. When you exhale while vaping, there’s still a smell but it is like overcooked popcorn. It is not close to any overpowering smell that comes from the source of combustion.

Does smoking weed make it smell?

Smoking and vaping weed can both create a smell, but it is stronger and lasts longer when produced from smoking compared to vaping. You can also find some vaping devices in the market that can reduce the aroma, allowing you to vape in peace. A convection vaporizer is an example of this. It gives off a reduced smell of weed compared to the dry herb vaporizer.

Does weed smell like smoke?

As mentioned earlier, weed has a distinctive, strong smell. Smoking and vaporizing weed will result in a certain smell depending on the terpenes of the chosen strain. This means that from the time the jar is opened, to heating the device, and exhaling the vapor, there will be a distinct odor. Vaping weed, however, is more discrete since these vape pens give off vapor and not smoke. There are many ways to cover and reduce the smell of the e-cig’s vapor too. The strength of the weed’s scent depends on the vaporizer and cannabis plant extract used.

What is the difference between e-cigarettes and vapor?

E-cigs heat e-liquid with a small metal coil housed in an atomizer , and the heat turns the e-juice into the vapor you see. E-cigarette vapor doesn’t have any carbon monoxide or tar, and the particles in the aerosol are liquid rather than solid. Dangerous chemicals and metals are found in vapor, but only in tiny quantities.

Who studied the dangers of second hand vaping?

Igor Burstyn’s study of the possible dangers of secondhand vaping attempted to “estimate potential exposures from aerosols produced by electronic cigarettes and compare those potential exposures to occupational exposure standards.” His conclusion: “Exposures of bystanders are likely to be orders of magnitude less, and thus pose no apparent concern.”

What is secondhand vapor?

Secondhand vapor (which is technically an aerosol) is the vapor exhaled into the atmosphere by an e-cig user. Like secondhand smoke, it lingers in the air long enough that anyone in the same room (assuming the room is small enough) is likely to inhale some of the exhaled aerosol. As the name indicates, the bystanders are not inhaling secondhand (or passive) smoke—because secondhand e-cigarette vapor simply isn’t smoke.

Is third hand nicotine inhaled or exhaled?

What isn’t inhaled falls to the ground quite rapidly. Those concerned with “thirdhand nicotine”—the unabsorbed nicotine that lands on floors and furniture—might make a case for not vaping around kids or pets who might lick the surfaces. But there’s not much nicotine left in the settled residue. According to a 2016 University of California-San Francisco study, 93.8 percent of the inhaled nicotine is retained by the user, and is not part of the exhaled vapor.

Does vaping contain VG?

Aside from propylene glycol and glycerin (PG and VG) —the two glycols that make up the base of virtually all e-liquids—what vapers exhale into the air doesn’t contain high levels of anything. According to Drexel University toxicologist Igor Burstyn, while the contents of e-cig vapor inhaled by users “justifies surveillance,” there is so little contamination in exhaled vapor that there is unlikely to be any risk for bystanders.

Can you vape inside a house?

If you encounter people vaping inside a house, all of the secondhand vapor you see comes out of the mouths of the vapers in the room. There is no side stream “vape smoke” like there is side stream tobacco smoke from cigarettes—no constant emission of vapor pouring from the device when it’s not being used.

Is nicotine in vapor residue?

But there’s not much nicotine left in the settled residue. According to a 2016 University of California-San Francisco study, 93.8 percent of the inhaled nicotine is retained by the user, and is not part of the exhaled vapor.

Why is vaping important?

Why this is important: Living in a clean home is important for calm and relaxing spaces. Also, if you can’t get it clean, or if vaping leaves an odor, it will affect the buyer appeal of your home when selling.

Can you buy an air vent filter?

Individual air vent filters can be purchased and should have some positive effect in containing any residue. Other than the reasons given above, focusing on living in clean spaces and the readiness of your home to be sold in a clean, fresh condition; there is the health safety issue to be considered.

Is glycerin a vapor?

The vapor, which is mostly glycerin ( not water as most people assume), is clear but slightly oily. It is similar to the vegetable glycerin used in fog machines and is more closely related to an aerosol gas than a water vapor. “The “vapor” emitted from an e-cig is actually not water vapor, but more like an aerosol gas, as the emissions consist of tiny particles that contain nicotine, glycerin/glycols, artificial flavorings and preservatives, among other chemicals, according to a new study from RTI International.” (Yahoo.com/Beauty) *

Do you need to clean your air vents when vaping?

Another hidden issue is the air vents and ducts in the home, which may require professional cleaning if vaping occurs regularly and/or heavily. Since air ducts connect rooms throughout the house, they should be given extra attention to ensure against the spread of any odors. Individual air vent filters can be purchased and should have some positive effect in containing any residue.

Does vaping leave a residue?

After researching this pretty extensively, it seems to me that e-cigarette use, or vaping, definitely leaves a residue on all surfaces with which it comes in contact. Since it is airborne, that means it comes in contact with everything in the rooms you’re vaping in, even to the extent of getting into the air conditioning vents.

What is third hand smoke?

Thirdhand exposure is a thing, too. When someone who’s vaping exhales, the components of the aerosol doesn’t just go into the air — they also settle on surfaces. Trusted Source. . This is what’s referred to as thirdhand smoke (or aerosol). You can be exposed to these components when you touch a contaminated surface.

What percentage of people with asthma report vaping?

Based on the results of the 2018 Annual Asthma Survey by the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership, 14 percent of people with asthma reported that vaping or exposure to secondhand vape triggered their asthma symptoms.

What is the chemical in second hand vape aerosol?

Secondhand vape aerosol contains flavorings, such as diacetyl, a chemical that may impair the function of cilia in the airway.

Why are vapes dangerous for children?

Infants and children. Vape aerosols pose an especially high risk for infants and children because of their lower body weight and developing respiratory systems. , being exposed to even low concentrations of the components of vape aerosol can affect brain and lung development.

How to quit smoking cigarettes?

Try to taper your nicotine dose gradually if you’re using vaping to help you quit traditional cigarettes. Cutting out nicotine altogether will minimize the risk of nicotine-related side effects for you and others.

Does vaping aerosol absorb nicotine?

There’s evidence that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand vape aerosol absorb similar levels of nicotine as people exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.

Is vape aerosol harmful?

Its long-term effects are still being investigated. What we do know so far is that vape aerosol contains a number of harmful substances, including: There’s evidence that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand vape aerosol absorb similar levels of nicotine as people exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.

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