Researchers are actively seeking volunteers to participate in a groundbreaking study investigating the potential health implications of passive vaping.
Leading experts from the universities of Dundee, Abertay, and St Andrews have joined forces to conduct the Vascular Effects of Passive Exposure (Vape) study. Its primary objective is to determine the impact, if any, of close-proximity vaping on vascular health among bystanders.
The study places particular emphasis on the effects of passive vaping on women and children, aiming to recruit 300 individuals to take part.
In light of the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, researchers emphasize the “imperative” need to identify any potential risks to vascular health resulting from passive vaping. While the detrimental effects of passive smoking are well-established, the health implications of passive vaping remain relatively unknown.
Professor Jacob George, Chief Investigator of the Vape study and an esteemed expert in cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics at the University of Dundee, explains the significance of this research: “E-cigarettes are often perceived as less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes, but we must ascertain their potential negative health impacts on individuals living with or sharing spaces with e-cigarette users, including children.”
To achieve their goals, Vape researchers are seeking women aged 18 and above who neither vape nor smoke, as well as children aged between five and 12 residing in households with regular exposure to tobacco smoke or e-cigarette vapors.
Participants will be required to attend a brief appointment with investigators, during which basic measurements will be taken and health information recorded. The following day, saliva and urine samples will be collected from the participants’ homes for analysis.
To incentivize involvement, both adults and children will receive shopping vouchers valued at up to £40.
This study comes at a time of increasing concern regarding the potential health impacts of vaping, with pediatricians urging the Scottish Government to ban disposable vapes. Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has acknowledged that a complete ban is under consideration, and an expert group is currently examining the issue.
Professor George highlights the importance of addressing passive vaping: “While non-smokers may actively avoid individuals smoking traditional cigarettes due to their well-known negative health effects and the associated odor, vaping carries less stigma. E-cigarettes often emit pleasant, synthetic aromas, which may not discourage non-vapers from proximity. Consequently, it is essential to identify any risks to vascular health resulting from passive vaping, and that is precisely what the Vape study aims to accomplish.”
Professor George is widely recognized as a leading authority on the cardiovascular effects of vaping. In 2019, he published the findings of the Vesuvius study, commissioned by the British Heart Foundation, which compared the vascular impact of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. The study revealed that chronic smokers who switched to e-cigarettes experienced significant improvements in vascular health. Additionally, the research indicated that women who made the transition achieved greater health benefits compared to men, prompting the Vape study’s focus on female subjects.
The Vape study has received support from the NHS Tayside Endowment Fund.
Professor Alberto Fiore, an expert in food technology and chemistry at Abertay University, has led previous investigations into vaping. He underscores the importance of continued research on both active and passive vaping to build a reliable dataset that can inform future health policies, regulations, and marketing guidelines. While vaping remains a preferable alternative to smoking, particularly as a cessation tool, the recent surge in popularity, particularly among children, raises concerns.
For more information about the Vape study, interested individuals can visit https://vape-study.abertay.ac.uk/.
