Patient's death could be first in US linked to vaping, officials say

[Northerner]

US health officials are reporting what could be the country’s first death linked to vaping.

The officials said on Friday that an adult patient in Illinois, who contracted a serious lung disease after vaping, had died and that they considered it the first death in the US linked to e-cigarettes.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) received the report of the death on Thursday, the chief medical officer, Dr Jennifer Layden, said.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 193 people in 22 states had contracted severe respiratory illnesses after vaping. However, they said a clear common cause of the illnesses had not been identified and that they were being called “potential cases” that were still under investigation.

Ileana Arias, a CDC official, said: “Investigators haven’t identified any specific product or compound that is linked to all of the cases.” She added that the patients might be dealing with different illnesses that had similar symptoms.

https://www.theguardian.com/society...be-first-in-us-linked-to-vaping-officials-say

 

[Andy HB]

Another article also pointed out that this isn't 'strictly' the first death through vaping. There was also that unfortunate person whose equipment exploded on him and pierced his cranium.

I think it is a pastime that I will avoid, especially that I have already stopped smoking over 19 years ago now (was a 20 a day man). Also, the thought of inhaling some of those sickly sweet vaping liquids never appealed to me.

But, I suppose that it does have its uses in training people away from cigarettes. But ultimately only worthwhile if they can kick the vaping habit too.

 

[Northerner]

I think it is a pastime that I will avoid, especially that I have already stopped smoking over 19 years ago now (was a 20 a day man). Also, the thought of inhaling some of those sickly sweet vaping liquids never appealed to me.

I'm glad they didn't exist when I stopped (24 years now 🙂 ) as I'm pretty sure I would have been tempted and probably hooked. Hard to tell really. I was only thinking yesterday how much I dislike inhaling anything other than fresh air these days, after having to walk behind a young woman smoking a cigarette that I was downwind of 😱 Both my BIL and sister have moved to vaping after trying so many times to stop smoking, so at least it's healthier for them. I think the real problem is going to be people who have never smoked, but get attracted to vaping. It's a personal choice though - there's nothing worse than an ex-smoker preaching about the evils of it, so I'll stop now! 😱

 

[Matt Cycle]

One problem for another. Why do people have to do it and continue using it? If it's to aid stopping smoking then use it and stop but it's aimed at kids with these fruity flavours. I don't want to walk down the street breathing in cigarette smoke but equally I don't want to be breathing in a cloud of someone's strawberry steam.

 

[mikeyB]

We don't know the man's previous history. Was he a thirty fags a day man? Forty? Was vaping a last desperate attempt to halt physical decline? Who knows?

With Matt Cycle's points, i agree completely about fruity flavours. They have a separate appeal, especially to girls. With regard to stopping smoking, I agree also, but in my case my problem in stopping puffing on my pipe was that every time I tried to stop, my ulcerative colitis flared up. Vaping was a lifeline, but I daren't stop. At my last asthma review a few weeks ago, I even vaped on the way down to the surgery. My lung function measurements, and peak flow were better than they they have been for for a decade. I don't need to stop vaping, nor dare I risk it.

Though this phenomenon with UC is well recorded, it doesn't work the other way round. If you have UC there is no benefit in starting starting smoking or vaping. Nobody knows why.