Secondhand Exposure to aerosols From Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and asthma Exacerbations among Youth With asthma

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the relationship between secondhand exposure to aerosols from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and asthma exacerbations among youth with asthma. The study uses data from the 2016 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey to analyze the association between secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure and past 12-month asthma attack status in youth with asthma.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the 2016 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, a school-based cross-sectional survey conducted by the Florida Department of health.
* The study sample included youth between the ages of 11 and 17 years with a self-reported diagnosis of asthma (N = 11,830).
* The study measured asthma exacerbations by asking participants if they had an asthma attack in the past 12 months.
* Participants were considered exposed to aerosols from ENDS if they answered yes to being in the same room with someone using electronic vapor products or riding in a car with someone smoking electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.
* The study controlled for demographic characteristics, cigarette use, cigar use, hookah use, ENDS use, past 30-day secondhand smoke exposure, and past 30-day secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure.
* The study found that secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure was associated with higher odds of reporting an asthma attack in the past 12 months, adjusting for covariates (adjusted OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11-1.47).

Main Message:
The study suggests that secondhand exposure to ENDS aerosols may be related to asthma symptoms in youth. Physicians may need to counsel youth with asthma regarding the potential risks of exposure, and future research is necessary to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure and asthma control. The study highlights the need for further investigation into the potential health risks associated with secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations such as youth with asthma.

Bayly, Jennifer E., Debra Bernat, Lauren Porter, and Kelvin Choi. “Secondhand Exposure to aerosols From Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and asthma Exacerbations among Youth With asthma.” Chest 155, no. 1 (January 2019): 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2018.10.005.