According to a study in JAMA, nearly 5% of US adults living in a household with children are e-cigarette users. Researchers report that children in these households are potentially exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapor, which contains a mix of chemicals with yet unknown health consequences.
In addition, children in the same household as e-cigarette users are more likely to themselves initiate e-cigarette use and may be more likely to accidentally ingest refill liquid and experience burn injuries, researchers report.
Researchers analyzed data from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which surveyed adults on their current e-cigarette use. The survey also included subset data on whether they had a child in the household and a current asthma diagnosis.
According to results:
- During 2016 to 2017, 4.4% (95% CI, 4.3-4.5) of US adults reported current use of e-cigarettes.
- The prevalence of e-cigarette use was higher among adults with a child in the home (4.9%; 95% CI, 4.7-5.1)
- Electronic cigarette use was more prevalent among adults living with a child with (5.6%) vs without (4.8%) asthma
- The prevalence of e-cigarette use did not vary by child asthma status when stratified by coexposure to combustible cigarettes
Researchers concluded that additional information on child exposure to e-cigarette aerosols is needed due to the growing use of vaping across the US.
