Vaping isrising in popularity among former smokers and non-smokers alike. While vaping is considered discrete and can even leave a pleasant smell in the air, unlike combustible cigarettes, the vapor can stick around afterward, leading to secondhand vaping.

It is especially important to understand how this secondhand vapor can affect babies. Studies into infantile vaping exposure suggest that the use of vapes may be responsible for a rise ininfant mortality. Here’s what you need to know about vaping around babies. 

Can You Vape Around a Baby?

No, you shouldn’t vape around a baby under any circumstances. Due to a lack of research into this subject, when vapes started taking off in popularity, people may have wrongly believed that no smell or vapor in the air after use meant no harm. However,recent studies suggest vapor can linger in the air for much longer than you can see. 

One of the biggest attractions of vaping for lots of former smokers was being able to get a nicotine hit from inside without bothering non-smokers in the vicinity in the same way that combustible cigarettes might. However, mounting evidence that vaping during pregnancy leads toadverse birth outcomes, vaping around young adults can increase respiratory symptoms, and potentially increase the chance of infant mortality if youvape around babies, the comfort of being able to vape indoors may not be worth the risks associated with it for those around you. 

The Risks of Vaping Around Babies

There are several risks associated with secondhand vapor exposure, which increase with indoor vaping, that range from respiratory issues, potential cardiovascular issues, to nicotine poisoning.

These risks that are related to secondhand vapor exposure increase in babies due to their still-developing immune systems and higher susceptibility to nicotine. Babies are also susceptible to developmental issues and future addiction directly linked to nicotine exposure at a young age or prenatally. 

In addition to these developmental concerns, aerosolized chemicals in vape liquids like formaldehyde and propylene glycol can linger in the atmosphere and lead to secondhand vaping. Inone study looking at the air quality in vape shops, the amount of chemicals found in the air when the shop was open was up to four times higher than when it was closed. 

Scientific Studies on Vaping and Babies

Vaping inside your home can lead to a build-up of particulate matter (PM), which can lead to serious health problems, especially in children and young people. While it's still early days when it comes to research into vaping around babies, evidence around traditional smoking suggests an increase in the chance "for cleft lip and/or palate (opening in the lip and/or roof of the mouth), and problems with the respiratory and digestive systems." 

Vapor particles can also remain in the environment after use, leading to a phenomenon known as "thirdhand" exposure. According to a2023 study into the effects of "thirdhand" vapor on mice, vapor particles "negatively affect the lung health of mice and highlight the need for greater public awareness surrounding the dangers of "thirdhand" exposure to e-cigarette vapor."

The chances of being affected by "third hand" vapor are increased in children as nicotine and other chemicals may stick to their clothes, and they are more likely to engage in hand-to-mouth activities around the house. 

Why Babies Are More Vulnerable

It’ll come as no surprise that babies require a suitable environment to make health and developmental leaps. According to a2023 study into environmental exposure early in life, “By using a general health score summarizing the child cardiometabolic, respiratory/allergy and mental health, this study reinforced previously suspected environmental factors associated with various child health parameters (e.g., tobacco, air pollutants) and identified new factors (e.g., pets, blue space) warranting further investigations.” 

Babies and young children have weakened immune systems because they are still developing, which can make them more susceptible to infections and other health issues. Additionally, when children are born, their lungs are still growing and developing and don’t reach a near-adult state until age three.

The first few years of a baby’s life are vital for brain development, too. All of these factors give them a higher risk of damage from vapor. Minimizing exposure to harmful substances during the early stages of life is essential. 

Legal and Social Considerations

In 2019, the legal age to buy nicotine products was raised from 18 to 21 to discourage young people from buying vapes and cigarettes. While it varies by region, vaping mostly follows the same rules as smoking, prohibiting its use inside restaurants, hotel public spaces, and other indoor public areas.

If you are visiting friends with babies or children, it’s your responsibility to find a safe space away from the child to use your vape. Health organizations are in agreement that smoking and vaping around others poses health risks.

TheCDC advises people that there is no safe amount of secondhand vapor exposure. According to theWHO, “The aerosols generated by ENDS typically raise the concentration of particulate matter in indoor environments and contain nicotine and other potentially toxic substances.”

What Should Parents and Caregivers Do?

If you’re a new parent, there may be several adjustments you need to make to ensure the safety of your new child, with vaping being one of them. Here are some tips that may make the transition easier: 

• Create vape-free zones in the home:While it’s always better to vape outside, people who still want the comfort of vaping inside can consider creating vape-free zones in the most highly trafficked areas of the house. 

• Ensure proper ventilation if vaping around older children:Secondhand vape exposure is not healthy for children of any age, but creating proper ventilation will cut down on the amounts of particulate matter that remain after vaping. 

• Consider quitting vaping to protect your child’s health:The safest thing to do is not to vape at all around children, which will also lower the chances of your children taking up the habit in later life. If you plan on quitting, follow a plan and consider switching to patches or gum at first. 

Conclusion

Vaping around babies poses health risks like respiratory issues, potential cardiovascular issues, and developmental concerns. While vaping indoors is convenient and not as antisocial as smoking combustible cigarettes indoors, it is the responsibility of the person vaping to consider the health of others, especially infants. Parents who vape should consider their baby’s health before hitting a vape around them.