Scottish study to explore vascular effects of “passive vaping”

Scottish study to explore vascular effects of “passive vaping”

The potential health effects of passive vaping are to be explored for the first time as part of an important new Scottish research study.

Experts from Abertay University are collaborating with colleagues from Dundee and St Andrews universities on the Vascular Effects of Passive Exposure (VAPE) study, which aims to determine what - if any - health impacts vaping in close proximity to others has on a person’s vascular health.

Researchers are looking to recruit 300 women and children to assist with the study, which is backed by the NHS Tayside Endowment Fund. By answering some simple health questions and providing samples of saliva and urine, it is hoped that more can be learned about one of modern society’s most pressing health issues.

VAPE researchers are looking to recruit women over the age of 18 who do not vape or smoke, and children between the ages of five and 12, who live in a household where there is regular exposure to tobacco smoke or e-cigarette vapes. Recruits will be asked to attend a brief appointment with investigators, where basic measurements will be taken and health information recorded.

The following day, participants will be asked to provide saliva and urine samples, which will be collected from their homes and analysed. Both adults and children will receive shopping vouchers up the value of £40 for their participation.

Professor of Food Technology and Chemistry at Abertay University, Alberto Fiore, has led previous studies looking at vaping, including a project that aimed to mitigate the formation of dangerous compounds formed during the vaping process.

He said, “Vaping remains a better option than smoking and has clear benefits when viewed as a cessation tool, but the recent growth in popularity, particularly among children, is a cause for concern.

“Despite that growth, vaping is still a relatively new lifestyle choice in terms of us fully understanding the cardiovascular effects, so it is vital that we continue to research both active and passive vaping to build up a reliable dataset that can inform any future decision making around health policy, regulation and marketing rules.”

Anybody wishing to learn more about or volunteer for the VAPE study can do so online.