Right now, in Tayside, thousands of people are vaping, a number that is growing year on year.
Nationally, that trend is even more pronounced with 5.6 million people across the UK - around 11% of the adult population - now vaping.
While the dangers of passive exposure to tobacco smoke are well documented, the health effects of second-hand exposure to e-cigarette vapour remain largely unknown. This is particularly concerning for children, whose developing blood vessels may be more vulnerable to harm.
A new pilot project, led by Professor Jacob George, Clinical Lead of NHS Tayside’s Cardiovascular Risk Service, seeks to shed light on this issue by measuring health indicators and detecting harmful substances in women and children who breathe in second-hand vape smoke.
Professor George said, “In 2013, when vaping was becoming more prevalent, we received a grant from the British Heart Foundation to conduct the VESUVIUS trial, which showed that cigarette smokers who switch to nicotine-containing vaporisers could significantly improve their vascular health.
“The two-year trial found that smokers who switched to e-cigarettes demonstrated a significant improvement in their vascular health within four weeks, with women experiencing greater gains. The study also found that participants who transitioned achieved greater improvement compared to those who continued to use both tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
“This study had an international impact but also left us with an important question: what happens to those who are passively exposed to vape smoke, especially children? That’s the gap this new pilot aims to address.”
With vaping increasingly prevalent in Tayside, its potential impact on family members who are passively exposed, often within confined spaces such as homes and cars, is a growing concern.
To explore this, the team launched two observational studies. These involve comparing:
- Adult female partners of (a) tobacco smokers, (b) exclusive e-cigarette users, and (c) non-smokers
- Children living in these same households
The aim was to recruit 50 volunteers per group—150 women and 150 children in total. A dynamic recruitment campaign and dedicated research staff were needed to achieve this.
Professor George added, “Funding pilot studies in public health is incredibly difficult, but they are essential for building the evidence needed for larger clinical trials. Recruitment was another hurdle, so we sought support to help with outreach and broader communications.”
After applying to the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation, the team was awarded just under £100,000 to conduct the one-year pilot project. The team was also funded by the Tayside Institute of Cardiovascular Research.
Trial Coordinator, Assunta Siani spearheaded the recruitment effort, collaborating with schools across the region and directing interested participants to a dedicated website for eligibility information. Successful applicants were invited to Ninewells Hospital for a one-time visit to measure blood pressure and heart rate, complete a questionnaire and provide saliva and urine samples (optional).
Thanks to the funding, the pilot project is now coming to an end, with recruitment closing at the end of the summer. Data analysis will then begin, with the results likely to be available by the end of the year.
Professor George explained, “This project has been a true Tayside collaboration. We are collaborating with both Abertay University in Dundee and the University of St Andrews because they have a lot of very sensitive equipment that can help us measure minute quantities of toxicants and pollutants, which we don’t have.
“By completing this project, we will have scientific evidence of the effects of passive vaping, something we currently do not have. Longer-term, the results will open the doors to larger clinical trials, shaping future public health campaigns that aim to educate families with information on the risks of passive vaping vs passive smoking.”
