Does vaping cause secondhand smoke? Doctors explain the side effects Secondhand Exposure to E Cigarettes Puts COPD Patients At Risk Respiratory Therapy Smoke Break Birmingham AL When someone vapes around others they expose them to 'second hand aerosol'. But what happens to that aerosol then? Does it disappear or is it like cigarette smoke and stays around, sticking to Vaping and COPD: Is it okay or can it cause more problems?