An investigation is being conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a bunch of lung diseases that are thought to be connected to e-cigarette use. Numerous such cases were identified in 14 US states in the last period.
The CDC reported that there was no clear evidence whether an infectious illness was the culprit and that more data was required to establish if the diseases were, in fact, caused by e-cigarette use.
The CDC is collaborating at the moment with health services in Illinois, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana on the inquiry. Starting with June the 18th, these states have announced 94 possible cases of severe lung disease linked to vaping, mainly among teenagers and young adults, as per a statement by CDC. In Wisconsin alone, there were reported 30 of these cases. Patients experienced coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath. A few others had vital breathing difficulties that eventually required ventilation.
A CDC official was not able to offer more information regarding the investigation, and representatives for the state health sectors did not give any response to inquiries. Other US states, such as New York and New Jersey, have announced health advisories with regards to the vaping-tied lung illnesses as well.
However, the CDC did not tie the diseases to any particular product. In the United States, Juul Labs, in which Altria Group Inc owns a 35 percent stake, is the main e-cigarette manufacturer.
E-cigarettes are usually believed to be safer than regular cigarettes. The latter is reported to kill up to half of all lifetime users, as per the World Health Organization. Even so, the long-term health impacts of the nicotine devices are still mainly not known.
Back in April, the US Food and Drug Administration also began an investigation regarding seizures, reportedly experienced among e-cigarette users.
