As of today the total number of confirmed or probable cases of vaping-related illness has gone up to 805 across 46 different states and one U.S. territory according to a report by the CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Health authorities urge people to stop the use of these electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices while they investigate a sudden burst of illnesses and deaths linked to the products.
That number has jumped by 275 cases, or a 52% increase from 530 last week. There have been 12 reported fatalities as of September 24th.
The confirmed deaths include two in Kansas, two in California as well as one in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Oregon. The Mississippi death was announced by state officials on Thursday of last week(09/19/19).
The most recent survey found that 72% of the lung injury cases involved males and 16% were from users under 18 years of age.
The FDA(Food and Drug Administration) said last week it launched a criminal probe into the spike in vaping-related illnesses.The inquiry will focus on the products, where they were purchased and how they were used.
The Center of Disease Control & Prevention:
“We do not yet know the specific cause of these lung injuries, the investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) or substance that is linked to all cases.”
The CDC recommended that any vaper with concerns about health risks should consider slowing down or stop using e-cigarettes or vaping products all together.
Regardless of their latest investigation, the CDC stated that anyone who uses e-cigarettes or vaping products should not buy them off the street, modify or add any substances to the products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
The latest figures come amid upheaval in the industry. Juul Labs, the vaping giant, replaced its CEO on Wednesday with an executive from Big Tobacco. The company announced it will suspend all TV, print and digital ads, along with some of its lobbying efforts.
In Washington, the chairman of the House Oversight subcommittee on economic and consumer policy, wrote to four e-cigarette companies to request they follow Juul’s lead to stop all print, broadcast and digital advertising of their products in the United states.
The four companies were Fontem Ventures, Japan Tobacco International, Reynolds American and NJOY. Fontem Ventures said in a statement that it supports initiatives to prevent youth access to its products, and Reynolds American said it is giving the letter “careful consideration.” The other two companies did not respond to requests for comment.
Ned Sharpless, acting commissioner for the FDA, said under questioning by the House energy and commerce subcommittee on Wednesday that in retrospect, the FDA “should have begun regulating these devices sooner.” Ned made a pledge that the agency would speed up its time in examining e-cigarette-related applications. “We’re going to catch up,” he stated.
Meanwhile Governor of Vermont Phil Scott is exploring whether the state should institute a ban on the sale of vaping products, so far New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have already done so.
On top of that, Massachusetts Governor. Charlie Baker ordered a four-month statewide ban on the sale of flavored and unflavored vaping products bought online and in retail stores. Gina Raimondo, the Governor of Rhode Island, in an executive order, banned the sale of flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system products. As more and more states move towards banning e-cigarettes products altogether, Walmart announced it discontinued sales of vaping products.
It is a matter of time before we know exactly what the next steps will be in the vaping industry as a whole.