Doctor Warns Parents Who Vape At Home, 'These Are Not Safe For Exposed Children'

I've never tried smoking before. When I became a mom, I felt compelled to do something that would help me cope with the stress that comes with parenthood. One thing that I see some of my friends turn to is using these fancy e-cigarettes or vape. I asked them if they would recommend that I get my own. 

I thought it was a safer alternative to smoking but with the same effects of releasing stress. It's a bit expensive though, and it will hurt your pocket.

One day, another friend shared that her daughter's cough has been persistent. She suspected it was because her very own mother has been vaping in their home. A quick Google search would land you on studies and research saying vaping is as harmful as smoking. 

Smart Parenting asked Dr. Karen M. Olondriz, a board-certified pediatrician and pulmonologist specializing in the respiratory care of children, on what she has to say about vaping.

Vaping and e-cigarettes impact on children

1. What is the difference between vaping and traditional smoking?

Dr. Olondriz explains, "Vaping refers to the act of using electronic cigarettes (other names: vapes, "mods", tanks, and pod systems), which are handheld devices that produce aerosol from a solution containing nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and other additives for inhalation through a mouthpiece. This delivery system is the main difference from traditional cigarette smoking, which delivers nicotine through the burning of tobacco."

She explains, "Other than that, there is not much difference between vaping and traditional smoking. Tobacco smoking is commonly thought to be more harmful because smoke containing toxic and carcinogenic substances is being inhaled into the lungs. But studies have shown that the vapor from e-cigarettes, which contains toxicants, heavy metals, and other chemicals can also have significant adverse effects on the lungs and other organs."

Both vaping and smoking cigarettes have nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can affect the brain directly by impacting impulse control, mood, attention, and learning. Thus, both can also affect non-users through secondhand and thirdhand aerosol or smoke.

READ ALSO: E-cigarettes Aren't Any Safer Than Regular Cigarettes, Especially If You Have Kids

2.What are the effects of secondhand vapor especially to children? Is it safer than secondhand smoke?

Secondhand vapor pertains to the emissions of e-cigarettes, both directly from the vape or exhaled from the lungs of the user. But Dr. Olondriz warns about thirdhand vapor.

"These are emissions that remain on surfaces and in dust that are present even if the vape is put away. It is also a concern. Exposure to these aerosols happens similarly to that of secondhand and thirdhand cigarette smoke," she said.

"Given the presence of harmful chemicals in these vapors, the guiding principle is that these are not safe for exposed children." —Dr. Karen Olondriz

She explains that although further studies are needed to obtain more data on the health effects of these vapors on humans, known harmful toxicants and carcinogens are present in these vapors. "Nicotine and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been found in these aerosols, together with other fine and ultrafine particles such as metal and silicates. In addition, the flavoring chemicals can also act as respiratory irritants in sufficient concentrations," she said.

Dr. Olondriz maintains, "Are these vapors safer than second-hand smoke? I think the better question is 'Are these vapors better than inhaling clean air?' If we are considering the potential health effects for children who do not use these e-cigarettes, the comparison should always be with clean air, not cigarette use. Given the presence of harmful chemicals in these vapors, the guiding principle is that these are not safe for exposed children."

READ ALSO: Smoking During Your Pregnancy Could Have Long-Term Effects on Your Child's Health, Study Shows

3.Are there respiratory diseases children can get from exposure to second-hand vapor, especially if a family member is using it in their home?

Citing research from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Philippine Pediatric Society, Dr. Olondriz says these vapors cause air pollution, "Lung irritation and tissue injury from inhaling these can lead to coughing, wheezing, more frequent asthma exacerbations, and an increase in susceptibility to respiratory infections."

"Even though studies on the long-term effects of secondhand and thirdhand vapors are limited, neonatal mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor have been shown to have impaired growth and poor lung development with decreased alveolar number, compared to those who were not exposed."

Other than the direct lung effect of these vapors, there are poisonings and injuries that result from unintentional exposure to e-cigarette solutions. A large exposure to e-cigarette liquid can be fatal. One death has been reported in the US after a child ingested an e-cigarette nicotine solution from an uncapped bottle. This led to seizures and fatal cardiac arrhythmia. 

"There are also reports of explosions of lithium-ion batteries in these devices, leading to burns and fires.  Furthermore, nicotine is an addictive substance that can have lasting effects. It has neurotoxic effects on the developing brains of children and adolescents, and studies have even shown that these effects can start with exposure to the fetus during pregnancy," she added.

READ ALSO: People Urged to Stop Vaping Following 5 E-Cigarette-Related Deaths in the US

4. How can you urge parents to quit the habit?

"All the known adverse health effects to their children, and themselves as users, must encourage parents to quit vaping. But more so, what is not known about the long-term effects of vaping should make parents reconsider the habit. It might take years, even decades for us to truly know how chronic exposure to e-cigarette vapors can impact children," Dr. Olondriz said.

"It might also be a misconception that vaping is a safe alternative to tobacco smoking. Some tobacco smokers will even say that vaping is a way for them to stop smoking. However, e-cigarettes are neither safe nor approved as a smoking cessation treatment," she added.

Doctor warns parents who use vape or e-cigarettes

Since vaping and e-cigarette devices come in colorful devices and with sweet and candy-flavored scents, very young children may be enticed to play with and taste the liquids, which can lead to unintentional ingestion and possible poisoning, Dr. Olondriz warns.

"To parents, I hope you do not pick up the habit of vaping. But if you do smoke or vape, I encourage you to quit. For yourself, for your family, and your children at home." —Dr. Karen Olondriz

"We must also remember that children are adaptive and often portray the things they see around them. Being exposed to vaping at an early age can normalize the habit to impressionable kids, and lead them to subsequently pick up the habit once they are able," she said.

In the US, the e-cigarette is the most common tobacco product used by adolescents and young adults. An outbreak of electronic cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI) has been observed in the United States and has affected adolescent vapers. There is also evidence that adolescent vaping can subsequently lead to tobacco smoking later in life. And we all know the bad effects of that (cancer, chronic lung disease, addiction).

"To parents, I hope you do not pick up the habit of vaping. But if you do smoke or vape, I encourage you to quit. For yourself, for your family, and your children at home," she stressed."

Dr. Karen M. Olondriz is a board-certified pediatrician and pulmonologist specializing in the respiratory care of children. She is currently based in Paranaque City and shares education with parents through her Instagram page (@drkaren_lungs).

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Philippine Pediatric Society