A cute, fluffy purple character with big black eyes, rosy cheeks, and a smiling mouth, with thin black arms and legs wearing purple sneakers.

Different cloud. Still toxic.

Just because vape clouds don’t smell or look like cigarette smoke doesn’t mean it’s harmless water vapor. That suspension of tiny liquid droplets exhaled from a vape forms an aerosol containing chemicals that are harmful to your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Even your plants and pets. Which is why it’s so important for those who vape to take it outside, and for those who don’t vape to know how to protect and advocate for themselves.

Vape clouds stink, too.

That harmless-looking cloud exhaled with each puff of a vape is packed with many of the same toxic chemicals as cigarette smoke, including nicotine and particulate matter. Not to mention the tiny particles of battery-heated heavy metals leaching out with each drag.

If you choose to vape, take it outside.

It doesn’t matter who’s doing the vaping. If it’s happening around others, they’re breathing in secondhand vapor aerosol with potential long-term health effects and more immediate impacts like shortness of breath, eye, throat and airway irritation. Specifically for kids and teens, long-term exposure to secondhand vapor aerosol is linked to the development of asthma and increased asthma attacks.

A man with glasses and an afro looks confused while sitting at a table playing cards with a fluffy purple creature that exhales a cloud of green vapor toward a slice of pizza on a paper plate.

Know Your Risk

Reality Check:
“When you breathe in secondhand smoke,  you absorb 60% to 80% of the airborne nicotine.”

Don’t let cravings cloud your judgement.

Your choice of where you vape can make all the difference to the people—and pets—you interact with every day.

Your neighbors

Living in an apartment or condo? Smoke and vapor aerosol travel seamlessly through ventilation ducts, floorboards, and even cracks in the walls. Even worse, these harmful chemicals left by vapor aerosols and tobacco can linger in the air you share with your neighbors. Let’s avoid that risk completely by only vaping in designated areas outside your building.

Your coworkers

Tempted to hit that vape in a bathroom stall or near the doorway? Even a quick pull emits the same harmful vapor that can linger for anywhere from ten seconds to minutes. To avoid exposing your team members to harmful chemicals they didn’t ask for, find a designated outdoor smoking area.

Your commute

If you vape regularly, it can be tempting to hit your device in your car. But doing so even with the windows rolled down can trap harmful chemicals in your vehicle that other riders may be exposed to—even if they’re not in the vehicle while you’re vaping.

Your community

Think patios, open-air malls, and other shared public spaces are safe just because they are outdoors? The fact is, vaping anywhere within 25 feet of someone else can put them in harm’s way. So in this case, you may be taking it outside, but not far enough.

If you can’t smoke, you can’t vape.

Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA) places electronic cigarettes and vape devices under the same legal restrictions as traditional tobacco smoking and cannabis. This includes:

Indoor public spaces & workplaces
25-Foot "Buffer Zone" from building entrances

Tobacco-Free Schools Law also prevents vaping at schools and youth grounds, including certain parks.

Pop
Quiz!

Blowing smoke.

Take our true/false quiz to demystify the facts about secondhand exposure.

Secondhand vape “smoke” is harmless water vapor.

True

False

False. The aerosol exhaled from a vaping device contains a harmful mix of nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals capable of causing DNA damage. This damage is what scientists point to when they say that long-term exposure to vapor aerosols could increase the risk of health problems.

The cloud exhaled from vaping contains tobacco.

True

False

This one’s false. There’s no tobacco in vape pens, only cigarettes. But that doesn’t mean there aren't plenty of other harmful chemicals in secondhand vapor aerosol.

The concentration of particulate matter in e-cigarette aerosol can actually be higher than in conventional tobacco cigarette smoke. Particulate matter is a mixture of very small solid bits and liquid drops that float in the air that can hurt your lungs and throat.

True

False

True. In fact, these ultrafine particles can be up to thousands of times higher than traditional tobacco smoke.

Toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and heavy metals can be found in e-cigarettes.

True

False

Sadly, true. Several harmful chemicals are found in secondhand vape clouds, even Acrolein, which is traditionally used as weed killer, as well as other harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of respiratory irritation and other health problems.

Don’t vape? Slow clap for that healthy choice.

But it doesn’t mean you’re out of the clouds completely. You may find yourself in situations where someone else is vaping in a way that’s unhealthy for you or others. The good news is, most people are willing to adjust their behavior if approached with kindness and respect. Here are some ways to spark a constructive conversation if someone else’s vaping is making you uncomfortable.

To friends:

“Hey, do you mind taking your vape outside? That aerosol stuff really messes with my throat.”

To neighbors

“Hey, I wanted to let you know that your vape vapor drifts right through our shared air vents. Would you mind doing that outside so it doesn't get into my apartment?”

To building management

“Our current setup allows smoke and vapor aerosol to move between units. For everyone's health and safety, I’d like to advocate for a 100% smoke- and vape-free building policy.”

To coworkers

“I don’t mean to put you on the spot but I noticed you left a vapor cloud in the bathroom stall. I’m really sensitive to that stuff, would you mind doing that outside from now on?”

To concert-goers

[Shoulder tap] “Would you mind moving a little further toward the exit to hit your device? I’m really sensitive to the vape aerosol.”

Clearing the air.

Knowledge is power, and we hope the information above sheds light on the effects your secondhand smoke and vapor aerosol can have on the people and pets you care about and want to keep safe.

Take it Outside.

Quit curious? We’re here for you now, and in the future.

If ever you decide you’re ready to give up the burden of smoking or vaping for good, know we’re here to help you get through that, too. With tips, tools, resources and one-on-one support that’s free, confidential and successful. Just ask the more than 450 people we help quit every. Single. Day.

See How

Different cloud. Still toxic.

Vape clouds stink, too.

If you choose to vape, take it outside.

Meet Puff and Drag.

Puff

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