Recently, there has been a rash of vaping-related illnesses across the U.S., with patients reporting symptoms including a cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fever, vomiting, and weight loss. At least eighteen people have died, while more than 1,000 have suffered from vaping-related lung illnesses, according to the CDC. At present, the illnesses had not been linked to a specific company or product.
The CDC is still investigating, but researchers reportedly believe the illnesses are related to chemical exposure. There has been some speculation that black-market products are to blame, specifically that the illnesses may be linked to manufacturers that add more thickening agents to dilute the THC oil in vape products. THC is an active ingredient in marijuana.
The CDC has recommend that people refrain from vaping while the investigation is ongoing. At this point, we don’t know what is causing the illnesses, or how much exposure is necessary before people get sick.
As a doctor, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that e-cigarettes are not safe. They have been marketed as being a smoking cessation device, and as being healthier than traditional cigarettes. These recent illnesses and fatalities call these claims into question. Some e-cigarettes also contain nicotine derived from tobacco, which could perpetuate a smoker’s addiction, in effect leading them to exchange one product for another. Some e-cigarette pods contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes. There are also concerns about the safety of some chemicals used in e-cigarette juices.
Until we know more about these products and their effect on the human body, I would urge all smokers who are interested in quitting to utilize methods other than vaping, including using nicotine replacement therapy and finding something to chew or eat like gum or sunflower seeds as an oral substitute for when cravings hit.
