Secondhand Exposure to Vapors From Electronic Cigarettes

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study examining the levels of various airborne markers, including nicotine, aerosol particles, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), produced by electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and traditional cigarettes in a controlled exposure chamber. The study also compares the emissions from e-cigarettes and cigarettes generated by experienced users of both products. The study aims to investigate patterns and levels of passive exposure to nicotine and other toxicants from e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study found that e-cigarettes emit significant amounts of nicotine but do not emit significant amounts of CO and VOCs.
* The level of secondhand exposure to nicotine depends on the e-cigarette brand, but the emissions of nicotine from e-cigarettes were significantly lower than those of tobacco cigarettes.
* The emissions of nicotine from e-cigarettes were significantly lower than those of tobacco cigarettes.
* The study used a smoking machine to generate e-cigarette vapors and released them into an exposure chamber, measuring 1-hr average concentrations of nicotine, aerosol particles (PM2.5), CO, and selected VOCs.
* The study also compared emissions from e-cigarettes and cigarette smoke generated by experienced users of both products.
* The study found that the average concentration of nicotine resulting from smoking tobacco cigarettes was 10 times higher than from e-cigarettes.
* The mean concentration of PM2.5 resulting from smoking tobacco cigarettes was 7 times higher than from e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that e-cigarettes emit significant amounts of nicotine but do not emit significant amounts of CO and VOCs. The level of secondhand exposure to nicotine depends on the e-cigarette brand, but the emissions of nicotine from e-cigarettes were significantly lower than those of tobacco cigarettes. however, more research is needed to evaluate the health consequences of secondhand exposure to nicotine, especially among vulnerable populations. Exempting e-cigarettes from smoke-free regulations might have additional implications for public health, such as renormalizing smoking behavior and reinforcing nicotine addiction in dual users. Data are needed to inform regulators whether e-cigarettes should be included under smoke-free policies to protect nonusers from inhaling the toxicants.

Czogala, Jan, Maciej L. Goniewicz, Bartlomiej Fidelus, Wioleta Zielinska-Danch, Mark J. Travers, and andrzej Sobczak. “Secondhand Exposure to Vapors From Electronic Cigarettes.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 16, no. 6 (June 2014): 655–62. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntt203.