Do e-cigarettes produce secondhand smoke? Don't misunderstand it anymore

In principle, traditional cigarettes produce smoke by burning tobacco, a process that releases over 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which are known carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is precisely this mixture of harmful substances. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, work by heating e-liquid to produce an aerosol, which doesn't involve combustion. This fundamentally avoids the numerous harmful products produced by combustion.

Research data from authoritative institutions is even more convincing. A 2023 report released by the UK Public Health Agency indicated that the aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains only 5%-10% of the harmful substances found in secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes, and lacks tar, carbon monoxide, and other major harmful components found in traditional cigarettes. Experiments conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also showed that in well-ventilated environments, the residual time and concentration of e-cigarette aerosol are much lower than those of traditional cigarette smoke.

This difference is even more pronounced in real life. Traditional cigarette smoke lingers indoors for hours, leaving a persistent odor on clothing and furniture. E-cigarette aerosol, on the other hand, typically dissipates within seconds to minutes and leaves no lingering odor. For non-smokers, the health risks of exposure to e-cigarette aerosols are far lower than those of secondhand smoke.

Only by objectively understanding e-cigarettes based on science can we dispel unnecessary misunderstandings. Numerous studies have confirmed the superiority of e-cigarettes in reducing secondhand harm compared to traditional cigarettes. This provides a better choice for smokers seeking a healthier lifestyle and creates favorable conditions for a cleaner public environment.