MYTH: EXPOSURE TO E-CIGARETTE VAPOUR IS HARMFUL TO BYSTANDERS.
FACT: THERE HAVE BEEN NO IDENTIFIED HEALTH RISKS FROM PASSIVE VAPING.
Passive smoking has long been known to cause deadly illnesses in people who may never have smoked in their lives, but have been exposed to secondary smoke from the people they live/work with. I guess it stands to reason that the same would be true of vaping, right? Wrong.
Public Health England found that, to date, there have been no identified health risks of passive vaping to the health of bystanders.2
An e-liquid solution generally has four key components; Nicotine, Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and food grade flavourings (which contain different compounds depending on the flavour). Combustible tobacco products typically have more than 600 ingredients and when burned produce a staggering 7,000 chemicals, at least 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
Public Health England found that while vaping is not entirely risk free, it is 95% less harmful than smoking, due mostly to the absence of smoke as the chemicals in e-liquids are heated, not burned.1
Here are just a few of the ingredients found in combustible tobacco products, aka cigarettes:3
Acetone—found in nail polish remover
Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye
Ammonia—a common household cleaner
Arsenic—used in rat poison
Benzene—found in rubber cement and gasoline
Butane—used in lighter fluid
Cadmium—active component in battery acid
Carbon monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes
Formaldehyde—embalming fluid
Hexamine—found in barbecue lighter fluid
Lead—used in batteries
Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs
Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel
Tar—material for paving roads
Toluene—used to manufacture paint
Many smokers incorrectly believe that it is the Nicotine that causes the health issues, but this is a myth.4 In fact, it is the tobacco, or more specifically, it’s the burning of tobacco and the related toxins released into the body and environment via the smoke.
Pure, liquid Nicotine is a toxin when swallowed but is proven to have no long-term effects on overall health when inhaled.4
There are, however, certain groups who are sensitive to some of the compounds found in vapour. People with asthma and other respiratory conditions can be sensitive to a range of environmental irritants, as well as pollen and cold air, and for some there is a chance that the small quantity of toxins in vapour cloud could irritate their airways. However, an important factor to consider is that aerosol has a very short life, particularly compared to tobacco smoke. The levels of toxins found in vapour are very small and to date, no credible evidence has been produced to prove that passive vaping is harmful.
Conclusion
Vaping is 95% less harmful smoking and doesn’t affect those around you in the same way as smoking.
Vape with sensitivity to those around you, but vape in peace, you’re not harming anyone nearby.
VAPE IN PEACE
References
- McNeill, A. et al. Evidence review of e- cigarettes and heated tobacco products 2018. A report commissioned by Public Health England (2018).
- Andy McEwen and Hayden McRobbie, Electronic cigarettes: A briefing for stop smoking services, National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) in association with Public Health England (2016)
- Medical Editorial Content Board, American Cancer Society, ‘Harmful Chemicals in Tobacco’ (2015)
- Long-term effects of inhaled Nicotine. Waldum HL (et al), study for Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Tronheim, Norway. (1996)
Joanne Emmerson FCIM
Head of Marketing, Ibiza Vape Club
Joanne is a fellow of the Royal Chartered Institute of Marketing and has 30+ years marketing experience. She has worked all around the world, is published in 7 countries and teaches marketing communication theory at Post Graduate level both in the UK and USA. She has worked alongside many government bodies, health organisations and national charities. ivcservice@ibizavapeclub.com
