Health officials are warning against sharing vaping devices amid a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury, where two young people have died and several others have been hospitalised. The outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease has prompted experts to highlight the risks of transmitting the bacteria through shared vapes.
Vaping is most common among young adults, with around 27% of 16-24 year olds in the UK using e-cigarettes. Meningitis can spread through close contact, including kissing, coughing, and sharing drinks or vapes, as these activities can transfer saliva between users.
Professor Rebecca A Drummond of the University of Birmingham explained that large gatherings increase the risk of outbreaks, which is why university students are particularly vulnerable. Shane Margereson, vaping industry expert, compared sharing vapes to sharing toothbrushes or utensils, noting that even healthy individuals may unknowingly carry bacteria.
“Passing vapes around in social settings can increase the risk of spreading infections,” Margereson warned. He advised treating vapes as personal items not to be shared, especially during outbreaks of infectious illnesses.
