Using a vape, or an e-cigarette, has become increasingly popular in recent years — but little is known about the possible health effects of secondhand exposure to the vapour expelled by the devices.

A new study has found it is linked to a heightened risk of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in young people who don't smoke or vape themselves.

This study collected detailed annual information on respiratory health, active and secondhand nicotine vaping, and conventional tobacco and cannabis smoke exposure in the household from 2014.

Results, published in the journal Thorax, revealed those exposed to secondhand nicotine from vaping - and did not smoke or vape themselves - were more than twice as likely to report wheezing compared to those who hadn't been exposed.

Participants who had been exposed to secondhand nicotine vaping during any of the study years were also more likely to actively use tobacco or cannabis products themselves or to have been exposed to secondhand smoking.

The researchers said their study was observational, meaning they cannot say for certain that being around secondhand nicotine from vaping caused the increased likelihood of symptoms.

'This study is the first to describe the negative effects of secondhand nicotine vape exposure on respiratory symptoms,' they wrote.

'If causal, reduction of secondhand e-cigarette exposure in the home would reduce the burden of respiratory symptoms and would provide a compelling rationale for regulation of e-cigarette use in public places.

He added the there was also no evidence that secondhand vapour from vapes and e-cigarettes posed a public health risk.  

'While health risks of e-cigarettes to vapers themselves have been estimated at up to 5 per cent of health risks of smoking, health risks to bystanders are most likely reduced by a much bigger margin, and most likely altogether,' he said.