Vaping has gained popularity over the last couple of years and amassed a huge number of vapers who have successfully employed it to quit or curb their smoking habits. Popular vape superstores and shops have opened up all over the globe to facilitate the growing no. of the fraction who are switching to vaping. While there are obvious benefits of vaping, there are still some questions that arise when we think about the idea of second-hand vapour. Every vaper has at some point encountered a situation where they have been questioned about their use of indoor vaping and its impact on the health of bystanders. Many people tend to accuse vapers of propagating second-hand vapour and exposing them to the clouds. But is there really such a thing as ‘second-hand vapour’, and if there is, does it really have a negative effect on the health of bystanders
Why Do People Conflate Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes?
The reaction that the vaping community gets from people is understandable because their suspicion isn’t completely pointless, and people for ages have been warned about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke on the health of bystanders. Moreover, vape devices and products often come under the umbrella term of e-cigarettes, and are commonly categorized as such, which seems more daunting to people as it contains the word ‘cigarettes.’ But the vapour produced by e-cigarettes is vastly different from the smoke produced by cigarettes.
What’s the difference Between Smoke and Vapour?
When you light up a cigarette, the combustion of tobacco present in it produces smoke. But as a result of this combustion, it also releases 7000 chemical byproducts, out of which more than 200 are considered extremely toxic and harmful to human health. The major culprit here is the tar that goes inside the cigarette and turns it into a slow-killing tool. Due to this, even if you are not the one consuming the cigarette, you will still get affected by the smoke that gets produced if you are exposed to it.
With that in mind, it’s obvious why non-smokers get irked and view the cloud coming from a vape as a menace. The vapour may seem daunting, but it dissipates and vanishes pretty quickly. According to one research, the half-life of vapour created by vaping is about 15 seconds, whereas the half-life of cigarette smoke is 15 minutes. The vapour is produced simply by heating the e-liquid inside the mod device, which then lingers for a while and leaves a sweet and light odour. The e-liquid comprises VG, PG (both food grade and safe to consume,) nicotine and artificial or natural flavouring and doesn’t contain any of the harmful toxins and chemicals that are packed inside a cigarette like tar and carbon monoxide.
The Health Risks Posed by Cigarettes Vs the Health Risks Posed by Vape:
Vape particles are actually liquid that quickly settle on the ground, whereas cigarette particles are solid that take time to settle and absorb. Burning tobacco creates a huge amount of dust (smoke) which is quite distressing because of its impact on human health, even at lower concentrations. It gets accumulated in the surroundings, and that also includes bystanders.
Burning tobacco produces massive quantities of fine dust (also known as smoke), and vaping does not. Fine dust is of particular concern for its chronic effects even at low concentrations because it accumulates in the lung and the surroundings, i.e. the particles remain in the air for a long time whenever they are released. But it’s not the case with vapour, and second-hand vapour is far less harmful than second-hand smoke because vapour quickly dissipates, and 94 per cent of the nicotine that you take in through vaping gets absorbed directly into your body, and there’s only a small amount that gets released as an aerosol. Hence the likely harm of vapour is 50 to 1000 times less than cigarette smoke. Second-hand vapour is taken in by non-smokers or bystanders at a very low amount and concentration. Therefore, it doesn’t pose any health risk to those around.
Things to Keep in Mind When Vaping Outside:
Unlike smoking, vaping is allowed in almost every public space, from offices to restaurants, and although there is no long-term health risk that is directly related to vaping, it can still irritate people who are sensitive to smell and air quality. Many people experience nasal irritability from certain flavours that are too overpowering or sweet, including those who consume them. Some people are particularly allergic to PG, which could trigger allergic reactions like coughing, inflammation, and sneezing. Hence it’s imperative to stay mindful of vaping habits and try to do it as discreetly as possible. If the need arises, you can always step back to avoid causing discomfort to others around you, especially if you are in a space with less ventilation.
One of the overlooked facts about vaping is that you can always put an abrupt halt on your intake when you’re with someone who doesn’t appreciate it. You can easily stop taking the drags and power off your device because of its easy-to-use mechanism. But with cigarettes, you will remain a nuisance until you excuse yourself to finish them off after you burn them.