A King County teenager is the first person in Washington state to be diagnosed with a severe lung disease associated with e-cigarettes, Public Health – Seattle & King County reported Wednesday.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administrationplans to ban non-tobacco-flavored vaping productsas concerns intensify about their health risks and growing use among teenagers .
Nationally, there have been reports of at least six deathsand more than 450 cases in 33 states of severe lung illnesses believed to be linked to the vaping products that feature sweet and fruity flavors as well as conventional tobacco flavors. The outbreak’s cause is unknown.
The King County teen was hospitalized for five days in August for fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the health agency, and is now recovering. He reported using e-cigarette products for three years.
The teenager reported vaping nicotine with propylene glycol and saffron, according to Public Health. The agency said its investigation is continuing, and officials are trying to learn the type of vaping device used, where the products were obtained or if other substances were used.
“E-cigarettes and vaping are not safe. Everyone should be aware of the risk for severe lung disease and avoid using e-cigarettes and vaping at this time until the cause of this outbreak is known, ”Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a statement. “Youth, young adults and pregnant women should never use e-cigarettes or vape.”
Duchin said that 1 in 4 King County high school seniors have reported using an e-cigarette in the last 90 days.
“Although e-cigarettes are not approved as a cigarette smoking cessation method, we are aware that some people use them in this way,” Duchin added. “People who want to quit or reduce cigarette smoking should consult with their health care provider for effective treatment options.”
Gov. Jay Inslee last week asked the state Department of Health (DOH) to come up with some policy options to blunt underage vaping, including a possible ban on selling flavored oils for e-cigarettes.
“We aren’t waiting for the federal government and moving ahead with the governor’s request,” said the state’s health officer Dr. Kathy Lofy. “As part of this, we are looking at what can be done through statute changes or executive order.”
DOH is sending letters to health care providers across the state asking that they report any patients that might possibly be related to this investigation, Lofy said.
State and county investigators are also poring over data from hospitals to see if people have been admitted are showing signs of the lung illness, Lofy said.
King County would do things like ban the sale of flavored oils for e-cigarettes to minors but can’t because regulations on nicotine sales have to be done by the state, Duchin said.
There are measures the county is considering like licensing tobacco retailers in an effort to blunt the sale of e-cigarette products to minors, point of sale health warnings and advertising restrictions, Duchin said.
E-cigarettes and vaping aren’t new and it is not yet known why this mysterious lung disease connected to e-cigarettes and vaping is showing up now. Duchin speculates that acute lung problems have been happening but not recognized.
“What we are seeing now is probably a combination of things. We know that e-cigarettes and vape devices contain potential toxins and there are no long term safety studies on e-lquids, ”Duchin said. “I also believe that something has changed recently in the states that are reporting cases either in the way users are using products or the availability of specific products that have a higher risk.”
Serious lung illnessalso been confirmed in people who use a variety of vape devices and products,including THC – and CBD-containing products.
Public Health makes these recommendations:
- Youth, young adults, pregnant women, and adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not use e-cigarettes. The surgeon general’sKnow the Riskshas additional information for youth.
- Do not buy vaping products off the street and do not use these products while the investigation continues.
- Promptly seek medical attention if you use e-cigarette products and are coughing, have shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or fatigue.
- Anyone trying to quit should talk with their doctor about evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contact your doctor or a supportquit line.
- Youth can contact the quit line, or access resources athttps://teen.smokefree.gov /or theTruth Initiative.
- If you are concerned about harmful effects from e-cigarette products, call WA Poison Control Center at: 1 – 800 – 222 – 1222.
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