Men and women often turn to e-cigarettes and
other vape products when this wish to quit smoking or cut back on their tobacco
habit. In fact, quite a few individuals find they kick the habit for good with
the help of these products, which is good news. While questions remain
regarding the safety of these products, many experts believe they are safer
than their tobacco counterparts. Nevertheless, individuals must take care when
purchasing e-cigarettes and vape supplies, as products purchased on the street
often do more harm than good. In addition, the CDC recommends people not modify
cannabis or nicotine e-cigarette devices. The agency believes modified products
and those purchased on the street played a role in the recent round of lung
sicknesses related to this activity.
EVALI
During the summer of 2019, individuals in over
two dozen states became ill after vaping, and experts raced to identify the
cause of the condition they referred to as EVALI. Some blamed it on affordable vape supplies, but that turned
out to not be the case. The CDC could not gather evidence that identified a
single device or product responsible for the illnesses, but health officials
across the country expressed alarm regarding the use of vape products. This led
the CDC to issue several recommendations regarding the use of the products.
The agency told people concerned about their
health to avoid the use of e-cigarettes completely and speak to their doctor
regarding alternative smoking cessation methods. It said youth and young adults
should avoid the use of the products along with women who are pregnant and
anyone who doesn’t already use tobacco products. The statement issued by the
agency said anyone using an e-cigarette or vape products should watch for
symptoms. If the user-developed a cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
should seek medical care right away to rule out lung illnesses related to the
use of the e-cigarettes and vape products.
The Illness
By late June 2019, over 200 people across 25
states developed severe respiratory illnesses. Quite a few required
hospitalization because of their illness, and some patients needed a ventilator
to assist with their breathing or extensive monitoring within an intensive care
unit. One woman in her 30s died in Illinois, and public health experts looked
into a link between her vaping habit and the illness that led to her demise.
They couldn’t provide a definitive cause of death until they got toxicology
reports and other tests conducted.
Certain patients who became ill reported they
have used e-cigarettes containing THC. This substance provides the high
associated with marijuana use, and doctors were looking into the connection
between cannabinoid oils vaporized in cartridges and the illnesses being seen
in medical centers in these states. However, some patients claimed to have only
used e-cigarettes and vape products containing nicotine. Several patients seen
reported their symptoms were mild at first and gradually occurred more often.
They explained they have trouble breathing and chest pain before the symptoms
became so troublesome they required medical care and hospitalization.
The Cause
Doctors struggled to find a common cause for the
lung sicknesses and questioned whether patients were experiencing distinct
illnesses with similar symptoms. The Centers
for Disease Control called for data regarding the
illnesses and found that more than half of the samples tested contained THC and
many used vitamin E acetate as the diluent. They continue to research this
topic today.
Back in 2019. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former
commissioner of the FDA, states he believed some cases would be associated with
THC use and illegal products. He explained major manufacturers didn’t seem to
play a role in the illnesses, as none had recently changed the ingredients in
their products. He said it appeared an illegal manufacturer introduced a new
product to the market that led to the injuries. It appears that he was right.
Long-Term Effects
Experts know little when it comes to the
long-term effects of e-cigarettes and vape products. They highlight the fact
that these products lack the tar and other carcinogens present in conventional
tobacco products. The concern lies in the fact that they must combine nicotine
or THC with solvents that dissolve the drug and deliver it. They have yet to
determine fully how this process affects the human body.
Today, the FDA continues to seek unpublished data
and information that may be of help in determining how vaping products played a
role in these lung injuries. In addition, the agency wants to collect
information on the design of various vaping products and ways manufacturers
might stop consumers from modifying these substances or adding substances to
them that weren’t approved by the manufacturer.
However, the FDA isn’t recommending individuals
who smoked tobacco cigarettes and have made the switch to vaping products
should return
to their former habit. They recommend these individuals turn to
FDA-approved cessation methods. However, many men and women tried these methods
only to fail before turning to vape products and succeeding. Men and women need
to weigh all options and decide which is right for them.
Where to Buy
For those who choose to vape, purchase products
from reputable manufacturers. Although it may appear cheaper and easier to use
products made by a friend or share those obtained on the black market,
individuals who do so cannot know what is in the product. This appears to be
the case with those diagnosed with lung illnesses and injuries last year. However,
the CDC also recommends individuals not make use of THC oil, as they worry this
could lead to health issues.
Men and women must do their own research to
determine if vaping is right for their needs. Quite a few individuals find they
need this activity to replace their use of tobacco products. Other men and
women find they switch to vape products for a period before giving up this
habit. Regardless of which category a person falls into, their health must
remain the top priority. For this reason, any person making use of vape
products must ensure the items used in this activity come from reputable
providers. Nobody wants to do damage to their health while trying to improve
it. Sadly, that happens all too often when black market products are used, which
is why it’s better to be safe than sorry and only buy from trusted sources.
