СDС: THC May be a Part of Vaping Related Injuries and Deaths

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by Jeffrey Buckley

Updated: July 14, 2021

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CDC confirms that THC vape juices and cartridges may be the biggest contributor to the recent vaping illnesses and deaths. In a press release, it said it is working in pinpointing the exact cause.

Main Theses

  • CDC confirms that THC vaping accounts for a great proportion of the number of vaping deaths and illnesses
  • 77% of the people that suffer from the vaping lung-related illnesses reported using THC or both THC and nicotine product
  • CDC also affirms that it is still working to ensure they pinpoint the exact cause, even though it is a rigorous process
  • More states are banning vaping with Michigan the most recent state as death toll rises to 14

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday confirmed that THC was highly responsible for the recent vaping illnesses and deaths with a report showing that most of the victims purchased the THC products from the black market.

On that same day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a press release confirming that THC products are to blame for vaping-related illnesses and deaths.

The latest findings from the investigation into lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, suggest THC products play a role in the outbreak. Most of the people (77%) in this outbreak reported using THC-containing products, or both THC-containing products and nicotine-containing products, according to a report published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

CDC Press Release

The CDC, in its press release further said that probable or confirmed cases of vaping-related illnesses have significantly risen to slightly more than 800 cases in the United States alone. Some of the most affected states are Texas, California, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The CDC further reiterated that a significant number of patients in Wisconsin and Illinois became seriously ill after the use of vape cartridges known as Dank Vapes. Based on these disturbing statistics, the CDC stated that it would not relent in its fight to have such products out of the market.
The CDC acknowledged that pinpointing the true cause of vaping-related deaths and illnesses may need a significant amount of time.

However, CDC officials asserted that finding the exact culprit is somewhat challenging given the wide variety of products the affected ones use and the wide array of cases reported. Even though the last update was that Vitamin E acetate was linked to these deaths, CDC still insists that it is still investigating the matter.

Though the investigation is ongoing and the cause remains unknown at this time, today’s report provides the first national comprehensive data on the characteristics of cases reported to CDC, including sex, age, and select substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping products.

Besides advising individuals to refrain from using vaping products and e-cigarettes, CDC reiterated that it would foster strong working relationships with state partners and FDA to protect more people from falling into this trap.

CDC Research Priorities

CDC has prioritized much of its effort to find out the cause of deaths and lung injuries. Sadly, the efforts of CDC seem to be dealt a major blow as it is hard to detect how THC vapes –mostly illicit ones- get purchased. A majority of them are sourced from family friends, illicit dealers, and friends, on or off the streets.

vaping death cdc research claims THC may be a reason

According to CDC, those that happen to be affected the most are youth and teenagers. The median age of the affected persons is 23 years. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of the affected ones are between 18 and 34 years of age. So far, 14 deaths have been reported with new fatalities being reported in Nebraska, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon, North Carolina, and Florida.

We are in the midst of a complex investigation spanning nearly all states involving serious life-threatening diseases in young people

– said Anne Schuchat, CDC’s principal deputy director.

In the wake of all these, the Trump administration issued a federal ban stating that it will enact a law to outlaw flavored e-cigarettes. This has had a trickling effect with some states banning vaping as a result, while others are banning vaping in relation to the deaths within their states. For instance, the Massachusetts governor recently issued a ban on all vaping products. While this move was criticized by sellers and users of vaping products, it left current and former smokers without a harm-reducing product.

Apart from Massachusetts, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued executive order against vaping products.In his statement, the governor issued a decree directing Washington’s health officials to prosecute anyone found selling or using flavored vaping products. Washington’s governor cited increase in teenage vaping and an outbreak of lung disease as part of his justification. Jay Inslee’s ban is by the use of unilateral executive action.

The bans across states did not stop there. Hot on the heels of Massachusetts and Washington was Rhode Island. Here, Gov. Gina Raimondo also issued a statement banning the use of electronic cigarettes across the state. Just like Washington’s governor, Gina Raimondo argued that a lot of teenagers were now hooked to teenage vaping and the outbreak of lung illnesses never witnessed before across Rhode Island.

Summing Up

To sum it all up, there have been hundreds of vaping-related illnesses reported in plenty of states across America.

Much worse, more than fourteen deaths have been reported with some expected to be reported in the near future. While there are claims that such deaths and illnesses are as a result of many factors, THC products are cited as the probable cause. Based on recently published data and statistics, those who use these products have been forced to visit health facilities that those who haven’t tried them.

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Published: September 29, 2019Updated: July 14, 2021
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Jeffrey Buckley

I was a smoker for over 25 years. In this time I also earned my medical degree with a specialization in addiction treatment and counseling. That period has led me to vaping, my interest started around 2011. I’m fighting the tide of hysteria and dis-information around vaping that emanates from various fronts legislative, cultural and scientific. Having scientific councils support, I’m happy to contribute my thoughts, articles, and expertise.

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