Passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health

Abstract

Background Cigarette smoking, secondhand cigarette smoke (SHS) exposure, and e-cigarette use (“vaping”) are each associated with increased rates of depressive symptoms and other internalizing mental health disorders. The prevalence of vaping has increased greatly, yet the mental health correlates of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions are as yet to be investigated. This study examined the potential adverse mental health outcomes associated with different tobacco exposures (direct and passive), with a particular focus on the mental health correlates of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions. Methods The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data collected from a sample of 16,173 Wave 4 adults were used to test the hypothesis that secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposure is associated with increased odds of internalizing mental health disorders. Individuals were categorized as exclusive cigarette smokers, exclusive e-cigarette users, cigarette and e-cigarette dual users, exclusive noncombustible tobacco users, secondhand smoke exposed non-users, secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users, and non-users with no current SHS/secondhand e-cigarette aerosol exposure. Adjusted weighted logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between exposure type and internalizing problems as assessed by scores on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener (GAIN-SS), a widely used instrument for assessing mental health problems. Results Cigarette smokers (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 2.19–2.92), e-cigarette users (AOR = 3.14, 2.41–4.09), dual users (AOR = 3.37, 2.85–4.00), noncombustible tobacco users (AOR = 1.48, 1.01–2.17), SHS exposed non-users (AOR = 1.63, 1.37–1.94), and secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users (AOR = 1.43, 1.03–1.99) were each associated with increased odds of moderate to severe internalizing mental health problems as compared to unexposed non-users. Odds of internalizing problems among SHS and secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users did not differ (p = 0.46). Conclusions This is the first study, to our knowledge, to identify an association between recent secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions and mental health problems, and the risk is comparable to that of SHS. Corroboration of this relationship needs further research to explicate directionality and mechanisms underlying this association.

Cross-Sectional Associations of Self-Reported Social/Emotional Support and Life Satisfaction with Smoking and Vaping Status in Adults

“…Smoking and vaping are related to poor mental health, including quality of life, depression, and anxiety [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Nicotine triggers the release of dopamine, which plays a significant role in emotional responses and reward-motivated behavior [ 15 ].…”

Medical students’ awareness of e-cigarette use addiction

“…This is definitely alarming, since youths are more susceptible to nicotine dependence than adults [35]. Moreover, it was proved that nicotine has adverse effects on brain development [46] and even passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health [47]. Nicotine is a highly addictive tobacco alkaloid and the increasing use of nicotine-containing devices like e-cigarettes by young people (mainly teenagers) who are not in the need of smoking cessation have no need to quit cigarette smoking may result in greater nicotine dependence in the future [40,43].…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of E-Cigarettes of Adolescents and Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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