TY - JOUR T1 - Should we worry about children's exposure to third-hand by-products generated from electronic nicotine delivery systems? JF - ERJ Open Research JO - erjor DO - 10.1183/23120541.00194-2020 VL - 6 IS - 2 SP - 00194-2020 AU - Sridesh Nath AU - Patrick Geraghty Y1 - 2020/04/01 UR - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/2/00194-2020.abstract N2 - Despite electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as e-cigarettes, being readily available for the past decade, we still know very little about the long-term effects on the user, and the second- and third-hand impact on non-users. Approximately 7% of former smokers quit tobacco smoking by switching to ENDS [1]. However, a high number of young adults become addicted to nicotine by using ENDS products, which could influence addiction to other nicotine products. The safety of ENDS is now in question [2], especially with the recent vaping-associated pulmonary injury outbreak and growing evidence of potential harmful effects of vaping [3] and mounting data on ENDS evaluated in animal models [4]. Earlier this year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an enforcement policy on unauthorised flavoured cartridges in ENDS, with particular emphasis on targeting minors [5]. Most are not aware of the potential impact of third-hand exposure, which is residual chemicals left on surfaces and clothing following vaping that can subsequently be a source of exposure via touching these contaminated areas or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces. Here we will outline what we need to consider for third-hand exposure for minors.Children and other individuals sharing spaces with END users frequently become exposed to first-, second- and third-hand chemicals. This editorial discusses the findings from a recent study exploring the impact of third-hand exposure. https://bit.ly/3cogiw0 ER -