You’ve heard many times by now the reasons not to smoke regular tobacco cigarettes around babies and kids.But given the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, does the same apply to vaping?If you vape, you may wonder if you can safely do so around your kids at home — and even if you don’t, you may have found yourself near someone who was smoking an e-cigarette and wondered if it affects your kids’ health.The short answer: While more research needs to be done, secondhand vapor from e-cigarettes definitely isn’t harmless.Here’s what you need to know to protect your kids.Whatever you call e-cigarettes — cigalikes, vape pens, personalized vaporizers, mechanical mods — they all work the same: Inhaling on a cartridge or pressing a button heats up e-liquid, which usually has flavoring and, often, varying levels of nicotine.The e-cigarette then releases a vapor, which is why using one is commonly known as “vaping” instead of smoking.There are hundreds of e-cigarette brands and thousands of e-liquid flavors, and they only recently became regulated by the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2016, some 10 years after they first hit the market.Once the rules go into effect in mid-August, you must be over 18 to purchase e-cigarette products, and manufacturers apply for permission from the FDA to sell their product and list in detail every ingredient they use and exactly how it's made.Still, it's difficult to know exactly what you're ingesting when you use an e-cig because fact is vaping products are fairly new, and there hasn’t been a lot of research to determine the exact health risks they pose.A February 2017 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that e-cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes because of the significant reduction in cancer-causing chemicals ingested by e-cigarette users compared to regular smokers.The reduction in risk was only found in those who stopped smoking cigarettes entirely, however.And e-cigs definitely don’t emit harmless water vapor.The liquids used in e-cigarettes are typically made up of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavoring chemicals and nicotine.

Some research has shown that when this liquid is heated at a high voltage (some vaping products allow the user to set the voltage to produce more or less vapor), other chemicals are formed.And some of them, like formaldehyde, are cancer-causing.A recent review published by the FDA reported that potentially harmful chemicals were found in the cartridges, refill solutions and aerosols of e-cigarettes.To complicate matters, the level of nicotine listed on the labels of e-cigarette cartridges and refill solutions can differ significantly from what’s actually in the product.So even if you think you’re using a “nicotine-free” e-cigarette, you and your children may be getting much more nicotine exposure than you thought.RELATED: Are E-Cigarettes Safe to Use During Pregnancy?If you or your partner smokes e-cigarettes at home with young kids, know that e-cigarettes pose some of the same risks as regular tobacco cigarettes, including:The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — the group representing the nation’s pediatricians — warns that any exposure to nicotine, including secondhand exposure from e-cigarettes, may be dangerous for children.

The FDA's new regulations are a "welcomed starting point," AAP experts say, but public health officials still have more to do, especially to protect children.AAP advocates for taxing e-cigarettes; increasing the nationwide age to purchase tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) to 21; and bans on advertising to children, online sales of e-cigarettes and all flavors of e-liquid.The group is also working to limit secondhand exposure, recommending regulations to restrict smoking and tobacco products “in all workplaces, including bars, restaurants and health care facilities," as well as bans "in places where children live, learn and play, including sidewalks, recreational and sports facilities, entertainment venues, parks, schools and dormitories, and multi-unit housing.”One recommendation of the AAP’s that will soon take effect: In January 2015, Congress passed a bill which will require child-resistant packaging for e-cigarettes and liquids in order to help prevent accidental poisonings.ios location name

Experts also say increased public education, better product storage and warning labels, and designing e-cigs and e-liquids so they're less appealing to children could also reduce child poisoning rates.While it may be impossible to protect your kids from all exposure to e-cigarettes, there are a number of steps you can take right now to protect your kids’ health:If you smoke or vape, one of the best steps that you and your partner can take is to quit for good.ios host serviceHoping that e-cigarettes could help?vapor store in virginia beachNo studies have proven that they can help smokers stop using nicotine.grasshopper vaporizer europeIn fact, some research has shown that e-cigarettes make smokers significantly less likely to quit.There’s no doubt that for many people, kicking a nicotine habit can be incredibly hard — but it is possible.ago g5 vaporizer review

Remember: Smoking and vaping not only expose your child to secondhand smoke, they increase the odds your child will smoke himself later in life.The good news is you’re not alone.In addition to getting help from your practitioner, family and friends, a number of other resources can support your efforts:  You can also talk to your doctor about other aids to help you quit, including:Make smoking off-limits in your home and vehicle — that means no smoking in the house or car by anyone, even when kids aren’t present.If you or someone else in your home vapes, always keep the e-cigarettes and liquids locked up and out of reach of children, and be sure to follow the label’s disposal instructions.Skip restaurants and other facilities that allow smoking or have smoking sections.vape weed to butter ratioEven if you and your children in the “non-smoking” section, secondhand smoke is still in the air.Choose a babysitter or nanny who doesn’t smoke — and if that’s not possible, make sure your childcare provider doesn’t smoke in the house, car or around your child.If your child is old enough, tell her to avoid being around someone who is smoking whenever possible.3 Things to Read Next:vape shops near me open