Update on cases of lung Injury associated with vaping products in North America

On 17 October 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the number of confirmed and probable lung injury cases and deaths associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

As of October 15 2019, 1,479 confirmed and probable lung injury cases associated with use of vaping products were reported in 49 states, with 33 deaths confirmed in 24 states.

Among 849 patients with information provided on substances used in vaping products in the three months prior to symptom onset, 78% reported using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products, with or without nicotine-containing products, 31% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products, 58% reported using nicotine-containing products, with or without THC-containing products and 10% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

CDC state that the latest national and state findings suggest products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources, such as friends, family members or illicit dealers, are linked to most cases and play a major role in the outbreak and therefore recommend that vaping products containing THC should not be used.

Source: CDC, 17 October 2019