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A recent study conducted by UCL researchers explores the impact of second-hand exposure to vaping and smoking on children in the United States.

The study analyzed blood tests and survey data from 1,777 children aged three to 11, shedding light on nicotine absorption levels.

Lead researcher Dr. Harry Tattan-Birch from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care highlighted the findings, stating, "Our study shows, using data from the real world rather than an artificial lab setting, that nicotine absorption is much lower from second-hand vapor than from second-hand smoking."

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, underscored that while e-cigarettes deliver nicotine levels comparable to tobacco cigarettes, they contain significantly fewer toxicants and carcinogens.

According to senior author Professor Lion Shahab, "Concerns about second-hand vaping may be somewhat overstated, with second-hand exposure to toxic substances likely to be very low."

However, the study advises caution regarding indoor vaping around children, noting that although nicotine absorption is lower than with smoking, it still exposes children to potentially harmful substances.

Professor Shahab emphasized the importance of avoiding indoor smoking to protect children's health and suggested extending this precaution to vaping.

Data from the study, based on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2020, utilized cotinine blood tests to assess nicotine absorption levels. The research focused exclusively on children who had not vaped or smoked themselves, ensuring that any nicotine detected was from second-hand exposure only.

As per Medical Xpress, the findings revealed that children exposed to indoor vaping absorbed 84% less nicotine than those exposed to indoor smoking, while those with no exposure absorbed 97% less.

The researchers emphasized the study's implications for indoor vaping policies, suggesting that the health risks to bystanders are significantly lower compared to smoking. Nonetheless, they cautioned against normalizing vaping indoors, which could potentially encourage the behavior among adults and youth alike.

Previous research by the team highlighted high rates of indoor vaping among adults in England, showing the need for thoughtful regulations to balance public health concerns with individual freedoms.