e-Cigarettes, Vaping and the Risks of Severe Lung Disease

The Risks of e-Cigarettes and Vaping

The CDC is now aware of at least 530 confirmed or probable cases of severe lung disease and six deaths associated with use of e-cigarette products. Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC. Many patients have reported using THC and nicotine. Some have reported the use of e-cigarette products containing only nicotine.

The American Lung Association has warned that “e-cigarettes are not safe” and can cause irreversible lung damage and disease.

E-cigarettes contain chemicals harmful to lung health such as heavy metals, carcinogens, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. The developing lungs of youth may be more at risk, making what the Surgeon General refers to as a youth e-cigarette epidemic even more alarming. — Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment

The illnesses under investigation involve the broader use of vaping products — including those being used with substances like THC. The CDC advises that E-cigarette products should never be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women, or by adults who do not currently use tobacco products.

Dangers of E-Cigarette Use

E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. Some e-cigarettes don’t look like tobacco products, so some kids use them unnoticed in schools, including in classrooms and bathrooms. An increasingly popular e-cigarette, called JUUL, is shaped like a USB flash drive and delivers a high dose of nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development.

Symptoms

See a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.

If you are concerned about your teen or other family member’s use of tobacco and vaping products, make an appointment with a Canyonlands Healthcare primary care physician or Behavioral Health specialist at 1-877-645-9675.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Symptoms of Severe Lung Disease Reported by Some Patients in This Outbreak:

cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
fatigue, fever, or abdominal pain

Some patients have reported that their symptoms developed over a few days, while others have reported that their symptoms developed over several weeks. A lung infection does not appear to be causing the symptoms.