Question 1

Are any tobacco or vaping products safe?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, neither are safe. Tobacco and vaping products have toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in them.
These are harmful to your health and the health of those around you. There is no safe amount of use or exposure to tobacco and vaping products although smoked tobacco is generally understood to be the most harmful form.

Learn more about of tobacco and vaping products here.

Question 2

What are some of the benefits of quitting?

Accepted Answer

Stopping the use of tobacco and vaping products is one of the best ways to improve your health and decrease the risk of disease.  While quitting is best, reducing your use also has benefits. If you're not willing to reduce and quit, consider talking with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower risk.
Benefits of quitting include:

 	lower risk of diseases linked to smoking tobacco: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, lung and breathing problems, early death
 	less chance of problems with fertility (getting pregnant), miscarriage and birth defects. (Nicotine can impact quality of sperm and later increase these health risks too)
 	less chance of smoking related health risks: slowdown in growth of the developing baby, premature birth, low birth weight baby, and trouble during labour that can lead to death of the parent, baby or both. (Babies born at a healthy birth weight are less likely to have infections and other health problems)
 	less chance of harmful effects from nicotine on a child’s ability to learn and think such as with decision-making, hearing, emotions and behaviour. (Nicotine is found in these products and may impair brain development)

See more benefits for quitting smoking here.

For more information to lower your risk and quit, go to Tobacco Use, Smoking and Vaping.

Question 3

What are the risks of second-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping for my partner or other members of my family?

Accepted Answer

There is no known safe level of second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke or aerosol from vaping products. If you can avoid being exposed to second-hand smoke and aerosol from vaping, your risk will be lower and your overall health will benefit.
Second-hand smoke comes from burning a tobacco product or is exhaled by a person who smokes. It increases risk of heart disease, lung infections, asthma and lung cancer.

Aerosol is exhaled from the nose and mouth of people who vape. Second-hand aerosol from vaping may not be as harmful as second-hand tobacco smoke, but there is still risk. For example, cancer-causing chemicals have been found in the urine of people exposed to second-hand aerosol from vaping.

Breathing in second-hand smoke and aerosol from vaping can increase a child’s risk of breathing problems, and problems with the ear, nose and throat.

To decrease harm, use tobacco and vaping products outside and away from doorways, open windows and furnace and exhaust vents. Smoking or vaping in another room or where a window is open, or in a heated garage will not stop the risk of exposure. This is because smoke and aerosol from vaping spread out and your furnace spreads the air through your home.

In Alberta, it is against the law to smoke or vape in a vehicle with your child inside. Opening the window will not remove harm and may spread chemicals into the back seat.

For more information to help reduce risk from exposure, go to Smoking, Vaping and Your Health.

Question 4

What‘s third-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping? How can I protect myself?

Accepted Answer

After smoking or vaping, the air clears and toxic chemicals settled on surfaces become a residue known as third-hand smoke or aerosol.
Nicotine and other chemicals have been found on surfaces in homes where people have smoked or vaped. Contact with the residue left behind may cause damage to genetic material in body cells. There can be an increased risk of health problems including asthma and cancer.

Third-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping:

 	stays on surfaces after tobacco has been smoked or vaped as a sticky residue
 	later it is found in the dust inside homes or buildings where people smoked or vaped
 	overtime the residue turns into gases that goes back into the air and is breathed in by people and pets
 	residue can build up on many surfaces like walls, furniture, clothing, toys, drapes and carpets

After someone smokes or vapes, third-hand residue and gases may be on their clothes, skin and hair. If someone touches these surfaces or breathes in the particles in the air, they may be exposed to harmful chemicals through their mouth, nose and skin. This can increase risk to your health from these chemicals.

To reduce exposure to third-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping:

 	keep your home and vehicle free from smoking and vaping
 	replace or clean furniture, walls, carpets, curtains or clothing that has third-hand smoke or aerosol residue. It may help to paint walls or furniture that have third-hand smoke or aerosol residue on their surfaces after they've been cleaned.
 	cover your clothing, (e.g., wear a jacket) when you smoke or vape outside. Store it away from other clothing when you come inside.
 	wash your hands and face to remove residue on your skin. This will help protect those that you hold close or cuddle.

It is best to move all tobacco and vaping product use outside the home and car, and away from air intakes.

For more information go to Smoking and Vaping Exposures.

Question 5

Where can I get help?

Accepted Answer

AlbertaQuits is an Alberta Health Services program that provides free support to reduce and quit using tobacco and vaping products. There is a helpline, support group and text service that you can use to get help and advice.
For more information and a full listing of services, please visit Getting Help - AlbertaQuits.

If you or your partner want to learn more about tips to change your tobacco or vaping use, visit Tobacco Use, Smoking, and Vaping.

If you are worried about withdrawal symptoms, talk with your health care provider about what medicines you can use to help you reduce and quit. For more information go to Quit Medications - Preparing to Quit - AlbertaQuits.

Tobacco and Vaping Products

Are any tobacco or vaping products safe?

What are some of the benefits of quitting?

What are the risks of second-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping for my partner or other members of my family?

What‘s third-hand smoke or aerosol from vaping? How can I protect myself?

Where can I get help?

What is My To-Do List?