Expert reveals why vaping could give you Covid-19

As Covid-19 continues to spread rapidly, experts have warned about the risk of vaping, which has been shown to spread the virus.

Sharing your vape could leave you at risk of getting Covid.

It seems Covid is everywhere nowadays, especially among young people, and experts are warning about the risk of spread from one innocent habit.

The sharing of vapes has been linked to the spread of Covid-19, with authorities in the Australian Capital Territory warning people about the practice last year.

ACT chief health officer revealed the number of daily cases from vaping had more than doubled in October with four to eight cases identified each day.

“The sharing of vaping equipment has been identified as a potential transmission pathway,” she said.

“In the current environment, I think actions like this are undoubtedly going to increase the risk of transmission in our community.”

Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon of Australian National University said vaping was an infection risk for Covid, mainly because there was virus in people’s saliva.

“My advice is to be very selective about who you share your saliva with,” he told news.com.au.

“Whether that means vaping or kissing if you want to reduce your risk, I suggest you be selective.”

Sharing your vape could leave you at risk of getting Covid.

Prof Collignon said some Covid rapid antigen tests test used people’s saliva so there was no doubt that saliva did contain the virus and it could be transmitted this way.

While he said the risk from breathing in smoke coming from a vape was unclear, Prof Collignon said maintaining distance from people in general was a good idea, whether someone was smoking or not, especially in enclosed spaces.

“If you are in an enclosed space together then it’s no surprise that you get transmission of Covid, particularly if there is alcohol is involved as well that lowers your inhibitions.”

Governments have already made it difficult for people to vape with a ban on all nicotine vaping products coming into effect from October 1 last year. Nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine can now only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.

Despite the ban, Chinese-made disposable vapes are still being sold under the counter at tobacconists and corner stores across the country.

Originally published as Expert reveals why vaping could give you Covid-19