After 3 Vaping Deaths, CDC Recommends Not Using E-Cigarettes

Lisette Voytko Forbes Staff  Sep 6, 2019, 03:27pm (Updated: 3:44 p.m. EST, 9/6/2019)

Topline: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended Friday that people stop using e-cigarettes after three people died and over 450 more have fallen ill with severe lung illness after reportedly using the devices.

·         An investigation by the CDC, in partnership with various state health departments, is working to determine what the deaths and lung illness cases, spread across 33 states, have in common, and which vaping products are making people sick.

·         Dana Meaney-Delman, a CDC-affiliated doctor leading the inquiry, said “While this investigation is ongoing, people should not use e-cigarette products,” a recommendation that extends to both nicotine and cannabis vaping devices.

·         As of August 22⁠—a little over two weeks ago⁠—the CDC was investigating 153 lung-illness cases linked to vaping. The jump to over 450 is almost a 200% increase since that time.

·         Symptoms presented in the cases include shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, and nausea or vomiting.

·         The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends people avoid purchasing vaping products off the street, as well as devices or liquids tampered with by consumers or third-party retailers.

·         New York health officials announced Thursday they are investigating a potential link between vitamin E oil in e-cigarette liquid and 34 cases of lung illness.

Crucial quote: “There is clearly an epidemic that begs for an urgent response,” wrote Dr. David Christiani of the Harvard School of Public Health in a Friday editorial for The New England Journal of Medicine.

Surprising fact: In his editorial, Christiani said e-cigarette liquids have been identified that contain at least six groups of toxic chemicals, and their interaction may cause new toxins in users.

Key background: The FDA is already investigating 127 reports of seizures possibly linked to vaping. Although scientists are still unsure of vaping’s long-term health impact, most believe that e-cigarettes are a less dangerous nicotine source than tobacco cigarettes. The CDC recommends that all nonsmokers stay away from vaping. E-cigarettes were a $2.3 billion business in 2018, and manufacturers are seeking FDA approval to continue selling their products.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/09/06/after-3-vaping-deaths-cdc-recommends-not-using-e-cigarettes/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-dozen#194dc2c1aa2c