E-cigarette “smoke” and your partner

If your partner “vapes” or uses e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, you might be at risk for inhaling harmful secondhand “smoke.” E-cigarettes don’t produce actual smoke, but they do produce emissions with aerosol particles that contain nicotine, glycerin, artificial flavorings, and preservatives.

E-cigarettes are electronic devices that vaporize liquid nicotine and other substances to be inhaled. Since e-cigarettes were not initially regulated by FDA, the ingredients in the devices were originally unlabeled. Recent findings show that, with or without nicotine, e-and other forms of vaping can be harmful. As of 2018, e-cigarette packages must contain a warning label if they contain nicotine, an addictive chemical. In addition, using an e-cigarette to inhale vape oils that contain cannabidiol (CBD) is not permitted for Military Service Members and can be dangerous to your health.

Your partner’s e-cigarette habits can potentially impact the health of both of you. If you’re concerned about the unknown impact of e-cigarettes, have an open conversation about the topic. Consider the following tips:

  • Become knowledgeable about what’s known and unknown about e-cigarettes and nicotine before bringing up the conversation.
  • Gently bring up the topic. Start with something such as “I was wondering if we could talk about my concerns around e-cigarettes?”
  • Mention that you’ve been reading about the health implications of e-cigarette vaping. You’ve grown concerned about how much is unknown and the potential harm.
  • Suggest coming up with a plan to minimize vaping indoors and especially around those who prefer to avoid inhaling the secondhand emissions.
  • Offer to support your partner’s plan to cut back on or quit using e-cigarettes.
  • Express appreciation for supporting one another’s health.

Published on: November 15, 2016


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References

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American Lung Association. (2016). E-cigarettes and lung health. Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Thornburg, J., Malloy, Q., Studabaker, W., Cho, S.-H., & Lee, Y. (2015). Exhaled electronic cigarette emissions: What’s your secondhand exposure? RTI  Press, Publication No. RB-0008-1503. doi:10.3768/rtipress.2015.rb.0008.1503

Add 2019 reference: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/7/4/59

Warning label: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/labeling-and-warning-statements-tobacco-products/covered-tobacco-products-and-roll-your-own-cigarette-tobacco-labeling-and-warning-statement