How Long Does Vape Smoke Stay in the Air?

Posted on 25 October 2023 | Updated on 08 March 2024 |

How Long Does Vape Smoke Stay in the Air?

Vaping is a popular alternative to smoking that involves inhaling vapor from an electronic device. Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or vape mods, use a battery to heat an e-liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. The heated eliquid turns into an aerosol that the user inhales and exhales. This aerosol is commonly referred to as vape smoke or vapor. Vaping has been touted as a safer and more enjoyable way to consume nicotine than smoking, as it does not produce tar, carbon monoxide, or thousands of other harmful chemicals and carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Vaping also has less odor and less impact on indoor air quality than smoking, making it more acceptable in public places and social settings. However, vaping is not without its drawbacks and controversies. One of the questions that many vapers and non-vapers have is how long vape smoke stays in the air and what factors affect it. This question is essential for several reasons, such as:

Visibility and aesthetics of the environment.
Bystanders' exposure and health risks, especially those with asthma or allergies.
Detection and activation of smoke detectors or fire alarms.

By the end of this article, you will better understand vape smoke, its characteristics, and some practical tips and advice on dealing with it.

What is Vape Smoke, and How is it Different from Cigarette Smoke?

Before diving into the central question of how long vape smoke stays in the air, let us first define it and how it differs from cigarette smoke.

Vape smoke is the aerosol produced by heating eliquid in a vaping device. Aerosol is a term that describes a mixture of solid or liquid particles suspended in a gas. In this case, the gas is air, and the particles are primarily droplets of eliquid that have been vaporized by the vaping device's heating element (atomizer or coil).

The main components of eliquid are propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. PG and VG are organic compounds used as solvents and humectants in various products, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and antifreeze. When heated, PG and VG create vapor and carry nicotine and flavorings to the user's mouth and lungs.

Nicotine is an addictive stimulant derived from tobacco plants or synthesized artificially. However, the vape e-liquids employ salt nicotine. Nicotine is the main reason people use tobacco products or disposable vapes, as it provides a pleasurable sensation and reduces stress, anxiety, and appetite. Nicotine can also have some adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, such as increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and constriction of blood vessels.

Flavorings are substances added to eliquid to enhance its taste and aroma. Flavorings can be natural or artificial, ranging from fruity, candy, dessert, menthol, and tobacco to exotic flavors. Flavorings can also affect the vapor production, throat hit, and health risks of vaping, depending on their ingredients and concentrations.

Other additives are substances added to eliquid to modify its properties, such as color, viscosity, sweetness, or shelf life. Some common additives are water, alcohol, sweeteners, preservatives, and stabilizers. Depending on their ingredients and concentrations, some additives can also affect the vapor production, throat hit, and health risks of vaping.

Vape smoke is different from cigarette smoke in several ways, such as:

Chemical Composition: Vape emissions boast a notably reduced presence of harmful chemicals and carcinogens compared to their cigarette counterparts. Citing a study from the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is estimated to be 95% less detrimental than smoking. However, this does not imply that vape emissions are entirely benign; they still encompass certain toxic substances, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, metals, and volatile organic compounds. The quantity and variety of these elements can fluctuate based on factors such as the quality and composition of the e-liquid, the power and temperature settings of the vaping device, and the user's behavior and preferences.
Particle Size: Vape emissions are characterized by smaller and lighter particles than cigarette smoke. A research study from the University of California San Diego reveals that the average particle size of vape emissions measures 0.18 micrometers (μm). In contrast, cigarette smoke carries an average particle size of 0.3 μm. The diminutive and lightweight nature of vape emissions renders them less conspicuous and more susceptible to evaporation or dispersion in the atmosphere than cigarette smoke's larger and weightier particles.
Toxicity: Vape emissions exhibit lower toxicity levels when juxtaposed with cigarette smoke. Public Health England's study estimates vaping to be 95% less toxic than smoking. Nevertheless, this does not imply that vape emissions are entirely non-toxic; they still contain substances that can incite irritation, inflammation, or harm the respiratory system. These substances include nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and various additives. The effects and risks associated with these elements can diverge according to the dose and duration of exposure and the individual's sensitivity and health condition.
Odor: Vape emissions emit a more subdued aroma than cigarette smoke. According to a survey by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), 65% of vapers and 48% of non-vapers reported that vaping produces minimal or negligible odors. Nonetheless, it's important to note that vape emissions are not entirely devoid of scent, given the presence of substances such as flavorings and other additives. The fragrance of vape emissions can fluctuate depending on the type and concentration of the flavorings and other additives present in the e-liquid. Some individuals may find the scent of vape emissions agreeable or neutral, while others may perceive it as unpleasant or offensive.
Impact on Indoor Air Quality: Vape emissions exert a comparatively minor influence on indoor air quality than cigarette smoke. As per a study conducted by the Fraunhofer Wilhelm Klauditz Institute (WKI), vaping does not significantly elevate the levels of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. Nevertheless, it's vital to recognize that vape emissions still introduce substances that can influence air quality, including nicotine, metals, and flavorings. The extent to which vape emissions affect indoor air quality can fluctuate depending on factors such as the volume and frequency of vaping, the size and ventilation of the room or area where vaping takes place, and other sources of air pollution or particulate matter.

In summary, vape emissions stand apart from traditional cigarette smoke with distinctions in their chemical makeup, particle dimensions, toxicity, scent, and consequences for indoor air quality. Vape emissions comprise fewer detrimental chemicals and carcinogens, boasting smaller and less weighty particles, lower toxicity levels, milder odors, and a reduced influence on indoor air quality compared to cigarette smoke. Nonetheless, vape emissions are not entirely benign, as they contain certain substances that may impact the environment and affect the well-being of the user and others.

How Long Does Vape Smoke Stay in the Air?

Now that we know what vape smoke is and how it differs from cigarette smoke let us move on to how long it stays in the air and what factors affect it.

Answering this question isn't simple, as it hinges on several factors, including:

The quantity and nature of vape emissions from the user directly affect how long vape smoke stays in the air.
The dimensions and air circulation in the room or space where vaping occurs.
The ambient temperature and humidity.
Other origins of air contaminants or particles exist.

Let us look at each of these factors in more detail.

The amount and type of vape smoke produced by the user, The amount and type of vape smoke produced by the user, can affect how long it stays in the air, as different vaping devices, liquids, and user behaviors can have different amounts and types of vape smoke.
For example, some vaping devices have higher power and temperature settings than others, like SMOK Morph 2, which can produce more vapor and larger particles. Some liquids have higher concentrations of VG than PG, which can produce thicker and denser vapor. Some users inhale more deeply and exhale more forcefully than others, making more smoke and larger particles.
The more vapor and larger particles the user produces, the longer it will take for them to evaporate or disperse in the air. According to a study by the University of California San Diego, the average particle concentration of vape smoke in a room can range from 0.1 to 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), depending on the vaping device, liquid, and user behavior.
The temperature and humidity of the environment

The presence of other sources of air pollution or particles

Other sources of air pollution or particles can affect how long vape smoke stays in the air, as different sources can interact with vape smoke particles in different ways.

For example, some sources of air pollution or particles, such as dust, pollen, or bacteria, can act as nuclei for vape smoke particles to attach to. Some sources of air pollution or particles can act as scavengers for vape smoke particles to remove them from the air, such as raindrops or snowflakes. The more nuclei or scavengers present in the air, the shorter or longer it will take for vape smoke to clear from the air. According to a study by Portland State University, vape smoke particles can attach to dust particles and form larger aggregates that are more likely to settle on surfaces or be removed by scavengers.

The duration of time vape smoke lingers in the air is influenced by a multitude of factors, including:

These factors can affect the duration and intensity of vape smoke in different ways. Some elements can make vape smoke last longer and be more visible in the air, while others can make it shorter and less visible. Therefore, this question has no definitive answer, as it can vary from case to case. However, some general estimates based on existing research and observations are:

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The size and ventilation of the room or area where vaping occurs

The size and ventilation of the room or area where vaping occurs can affect how long vape smoke stays in the air, as different rooms or places can have different airflows and dilution rates.
For example, a small and poorly ventilated room can have less airflow and dilution than a large and well-ventilated room or an open area. A room with closed windows and doors can have less airflow and dilution than one with open windows and doors. A room with fans or air conditioners can have more airflow and dilution than one without.
The less airflow and dilution in a room or area, the longer it will take for vape smoke to clear from the air. According to a study by Fraunhofer WKI, vape smoke can linger in the mood for up to 30 minutes in a poorly ventilated room, while it can dissipate within seconds or minutes in a well-ventilated room or an open area.
The temperature and humidity of the environment can affect how long vape smoke stays in the air, as different temperatures and humidities can affect the evaporation and condensation rates of vape smoke particles. For example, a cold and dry environment can have lower evaporation and higher condensation rates than a warm and humid environment. A cold environment can also cause vape smoke particles to shrink and become less visible, while a humid climate can cause them to grow and become more visible. The lower the evaporation and the higher the condensation rates of vape smoke particles, the longer they stay in the air. According to a study by Portland State University, vape smoke particles can condense on cold surfaces, such as windows or mirrors, and remain there for extended periods.
The volume and composition of vape smoke generated by the individual.
The dimensions and airflow within the room or space where vaping occurs.
The ambient temperature and humidity levels.
Other contributors to air contamination or particulate matter exist.

Vape smoke can linger in the air for up to 30 minutes in a poorly ventilated room.
Vape smoke can dissipate within seconds or minutes in a well-ventilated room or an open area.
Vape smoke can condense on cold surfaces and remain there for extended periods.