Is Vaping Safe Around Children?

Is vaping safe around children?

The careful answer is no, it really is best avoided. UK health bodies advise, as a precaution, not to vape around babies and children, while the bigger danger is a child swallowing e-liquid, which can cause serious nicotine poisoning. Children should never vape themselves.

There are really two separate things to keep in mind: the vapour they might breathe in, plus the e-liquid they might get hold of. The second is the more serious risk. This page covers both, plus simple steps to keep children safe, drawing on NHS guidance throughout.

Let us look at the vapour risk, the poisoning risk and how to protect children.

It helps to keep the two risks in proportion. The vapour question is about a low level of exposure where caution is sensible, whereas the e-liquid question is about a real and immediate danger if a child gets hold of a bottle. Treating the second with the most seriousness is the key takeaway.

The vapour around children

Let us start with second-hand vapour. The evidence shows the risk to bystanders is low and far below second-hand smoke, yet the NHS still advises, as a precaution, not to vape around babies and children, partly because their lungs are developing and the long-term picture is not fully known.

• Low but not zero: bystander risk is small, yet caution is still advised.
• Developing lungs: children may be more sensitive than adults.
• Asthma and conditions: take extra care around any breathing condition.
• Avoid enclosed spaces: do not vape in a closed room or car with a child.

There is also the example it sets. Young children copy adults, so vaping around them can make it seem normal and raise the chance they vape later, which is one more reason the NHS suggests keeping homes and cars vapour free where children are concerned.

There is also third-hand residue to consider. Just as with smoke, traces can settle on hands, clothes and surfaces, which is why washing your hands after vaping and before handling a baby is a sensible habit, alongside keeping the air around them clear in the first place.

The poisoning risk

This is by far the most important part. E-liquid can contain a lot of nicotine, so even a small amount swallowed, inhaled or spilt on the skin can seriously harm a young child, meaning vapes and liquids must be kept locked away, out of sight and out of reach.

Vapes and bottles are not childproof once opened, while sweet, fruity flavours can be tempting to a curious toddler who might mistake a bottle for a treat. Store everything securely, dispose of used devices and bottles safely, then avoid getting liquid on your skin when refilling. If you think a child has swallowed or been exposed to e-liquid, seek urgent medical help straight away.

This is the single most important point on the page. Unlike the vapour question, where the risk is low, swallowed e-liquid is a genuine emergency, so secure storage is not just tidy housekeeping but the main thing standing between a curious child and real harm.

How to protect children

A few clear habits keep children safe. Store vapes and e-liquids locked away, vape outdoors or away from children near an open window, wash your hands afterwards and never let a child vape, plus seek urgent help if a child is ever exposed to e-liquid.

The healthiest choice of all is to be smoke and vapour free at home. If you are using vaping to quit smoking, that is a good goal to work toward. In the meantime these steps reduce a child's exposure and, more importantly, remove the poisoning risk. A stop smoking service can support you if you would like help to stop vaping in time.

• Lock it away: store all vapes and liquids out of reach and out of sight.
• Vape away from children: outdoors or by an open window, never enclosed.
• Wash your hands: after vaping, before handling babies or food.
• Act fast if exposed: seek urgent medical help if a child swallows liquid.

What to do if a child is exposed to e-liquid

Acting quickly matters more than almost anything else here. If a child has swallowed e-liquid, inhaled it or spilt it on their skin, do not wait to see if symptoms appear. Seek urgent medical help straight away. If you can, have the bottle to hand so the strength and contents can be checked.

In the UK you can call NHS 111 for urgent advice. Call 999 if a child is seriously unwell, for example struggling to breathe or unresponsive. Quick action gives the best possible outcome, which is exactly why secure storage matters so much. Preventing access in the first place is far easier than dealing with an emergency after the fact.

If you want to dig deeper, see our explainer on whether second-hand vapour is harmful. It pairs well with our guide on vaping with existing health conditions and our look at whether vaping is bad for you.

For the full set of guides, the vaping and health hub brings everything together in one place.

Frequently asked questions