(NEXSTAR) – Have you ever found yourself enveloped in a cloud of sweet cotton candy vapor? If you catch a whiff of this sugary aroma from a vape, it’s not a reassuring sign.

With vaping increasingly replacing traditional cigarette smoking, the likelihood of encountering secondhand vape exposure is on the rise. Although preliminary studies indicate that it might not be as harmful as secondhand smoke from cigarettes, it’s far from risk-free, according to experts.

“While e-cigarettes don’t emit tobacco smoke, they do produce an aerosol that may contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, and other chemicals that could irritate or inflame the lungs,” explained Dr. Humberto Choi, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Research conducted in 2013 revealed that being in close proximity to individuals who vape, particularly indoors, can lead to nicotine exposure as the e-cigarette users exhale. Despite the absence of smoke, as seen with traditional cigarettes, some individuals underestimate the potential risks of secondhand vape exposure.