Alabama sees 1st vaping-linked death as US toll rises to 15
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Health officials in Alabama on Wednesday confirmed the first death in the state attributed to vaping.
The patient, whose name and age was not revealed, was a man from East Alabama. No other details were provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
NEBRASKA SEES 1ST VAPING-LINKED DEATH
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“As of October 1, there were 19 Alabama residents under investigation. Of the 19 reports, 4 cases have been identified and 9 other reports are still under investigation in Alabama; 3 have been identified as probable cases; 1 confirmed case (the deceased), of lung disease associated with vaping,” officials with the state’s health department said in a news release.
“The use of any tobacco product is unsafe. While this current outbreak is being investigated, the safest option is to refrain from using any e-cigarette or vape product. Furthermore, there is no situation in which these devices should be used by pregnant women or youths,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, in a statement.
To date, there have been 15 vaping-linked deaths in the U.S. Federal health officials – namely those with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – are still investigating the cause behind the 805 vaping-related lung illness cases reported across 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Late last week, the CDC described a possible link between the current outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries and the use of THC-containing vaping products.
The CDC’s findings indicated that out of 514 patients with suspected vaping-related illnesses, 77 reported that they had been using products containing THC, or using both nicotine- and THC-containing products.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Additionally, a recent Washington Post investigation concluded that the illnesses affecting hundreds of Americans may be linked to black-market vaping products, some of which are allegedly cut with vitamin E acetate.
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However, federal health officials have not yet linked the illnesses to a specific product, substance or additive.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The news of the Alabama resident’s death comes after New Jersey and Nebraska health officials announced the first deaths linked to vaping in their respective states.