The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating 193 potential cases of illness that involved vaping or e-cigarettes. These cases have been reported by 22 states between June 28 and August 20, 2019.
This investigation comes as a response to a very recent report of vaping-related death.
On August 23, the Illinois Department of Public Health recorded a case of death that is likely related to vaping or the use of e-cigarettes. Vaping is the inhalation of vapor produced by an e-cigarette, a vape pen, or another device. These devices contain pods or cartridges filled with chemicals, nicotine, or cannabis derivatives.
The Illinois case was the first to be associated with vaping. According to the state health department, there have been 22 people from 17 to 38 years old who experienced respiratory problems after vaping or using e-cigarettes.
The department, therefore, deemed it necessary to request the CDC’s help in investigating the reported cases.
According to CDC director Robert R. Redfield, they are “saddened” to hear of the first fatality associated with the outbreak of severe lung disease among those who use vaping devices or e-cigarettes. He said that they are working with the FDA and the state and local health departments in order to find out what is causing this outbreak.
Meanwhile, Gregory Conley, the American Vaping Association’s president, blamed the marijuana black market for these cases. He said that each day of this crisis brings more evidence that vapes sold on the streets contain THC of other prohibited substances that are responsible for such ailments.
In other words, the AVA does not believe that it is not nicotine vaping products that are responsible for the severe lung disease associated with these deaths.
Should this worry cannabis users?
The CDC, as well as many other organizations, have always expressed concern over the potential harm of vaping and smoking e-cigarettes. They have also pointed out the ever-growing usage of e-cigarettes and vaping devices among young people and teens.
In fact, the CDC has stated that the number of young people who vape rose by 1.5 million between 2017 and 2018.
But the truth is, there is still no proof that establishes the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and vaping products. There are even some people who believe that smoking pot is better than smoking tobacco.
It should be noted, however, that the American Lung Association has warned against smoking cannabis because of potential risks to the lungs.
Needless to say, more studies are needed before we could say that there is real cause for the cannabis industry to be concerned over these recent vaping cases.