Extract from ABC News
As more becomes known about the health effects of using vapes, there is also growing concern the habit may pose a risk to non-vapers' health.
A national study last year found that one in four Australian teens had vaped and their use is now commonplace across the country.
Here's what doctors know so far about the risks associated with passive vaping.
What's passive vaping?
Like passive or second-hand smoking, passive vaping takes place where a person inhales the aerosol or "vape" breathed out by someone vaping nearby.
NSW Health said there can be over 200 chemicals in vapes known to be harmful to human health, which are also found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, insecticides and weed killers.
Public health expert Paige Preston, who is the general manager of advocacy for Lung Foundation Australia, said there was confusion about what e-cigarettes are made of, with many mistaking it as merely water vapour.
"Passive vaping, contrary to what many think some people think it's just water vapour, actually contains a range of different chemicals," Ms Preston said.
Can passive vaping be harmful to our health?
An experimental study published on behalf of the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention found the chemicals in e-cigarettes can be inhaled even if you're not the one vaping.
Participants in the study who came into contact with second-hand aerosol from vapes reported experiencing burning and dryness of the eyes, sore throat, cough, breathlessness and headaches.
According to Australian National University's Dr Raglan Maddox, who leads the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program, the country could anticipate future health impacts on young people's brain development, like those experienced from first-hand smoking decades ago.
He said some of these impacts could include:
- Decreases in impulse control
- Problems associated with learning and attention
- Declines in mood and mental health
- Nicotine addiction
Dr Maddox said while the research into the link between passive vaping and nicotine addiction is ongoing, it is likely that exposure through passive vaping has the potential to increase the risk of future nicotine dependence.
"I guess whenever you're inhaling a nicotine product, there is that risk of addiction and nicotine dependence that comes with inhaling nicotine," Dr Maddox said.
What are the challenges in preventing passive vaping?
One of the significant challenges in preventing passive vaping is the lax policing surrounding vape-free zones, Dr Maddox said.
E-cigarettes can be harder to detect because they lack the distinctive strong, off-putting odour that combustible cigarettes give off, Dr Maddox said, adding that their fruity fragrances make them more tolerable to inhale second-hand.
In addition, the more palatable flavours make them easier to use indoors and in the home.
"We're with e-cigarettes and vaping where we probably were 10 or 20 years ago with smoking. There's sort of a lack of awareness about the health harms of e-cigarettes," Dr Maddox said.
The federal government has banned importing single-use vapes and the NSW government is rolling out a new advertising campaign designed to discourage vaping among Australian youth.
This week, NSW Health announced they had seized more than 30,000 vapes and tobacco products in a Sydney raid, with a value of more than $1 million.
Both the federal and state government's work have been commended by Lung Foundation Australia.
"We don't need to wait 60 years, 70 years, like we did for tobacco smoking," Ms Preston said.
"We've got better mechanisms now and we can see the risks and the damage that it's doing. So action was taken more swiftly, which is really positive."
What can we do to protect ourselves?
Experts are suggesting that without proper regulation, vaping has the potential to be just as harmful as second-hand smoking.
Federal government health site healthdirect notes that aside from not vaping, ways to protect yourself include:
- Not socialising with people or near people who are vaping
- E-cigarette users should respect 'vape-free' zones
- Do not vape in the house or enclosed spaces
- Avoid vaping around children and young people
- Inform yourself about the risks of smoking e-cigarettes
Dr Maddox said people should trust their intuition and avoid or quit vaping.
"It's just about trusting your judgement, making sure we support ourselves to have healthy, thriving communities so that we can live long and prosperous lives," he said.
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