Vaping Linked with Severe Lung Illnesses

Outlines the latest evidence about the recent outbreak of lung injuries associated with vaping. The report describes how vaping is harmful to lung health and describes the possible causes. It concludes that further research is needed to evaluate the impacts of vaping on health and that people should not vape until further information is available.

Key findings include: 

• Within 90 days of developing symptoms, all reported cases of lung injury have used an e-cigarette containing either THC, the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant that produces the “high,” nicotine or a combination of both.
• Most of the cases of emerging lung and respiratory disorders have been linked to vaping products containing THC from cannabis extracts.
• In most cases, the THC vape cartridges were not purchased from a regulated source, but rather from the illicit cannabis market.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating potential toxicants in e-liquids such as vitamin E acetate, flavouring substances and solvents. Vitamin E acetate, often used to thicken cannabinoid-infused oils sold in the illicit market, has been identified as a chemical of concern among patients with severe lung injury.
• The short- and long-term health effects of vaping and vaping products are unknown and more studies are required to determine their health impacts.
• People should not use vaping products or e-cigarettes that contain THC, particularly those coming from the illicit cannabis market.