What You Need to Know About Vaping
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of “e-cigarette” or vaping products.
Since June 2019, 113 cases of vaping-associated pulmonary injury (VAPI) requiring hospitalization have been reported to the CDPH, with two deaths. Most patients report vaping the cannabis compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD), and some patients also report vaping nicotine products, although the exact cause of illness is not yet known.
To date, a reported 1,080 lung injury cases associated with e-cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported to CDC from 48 states and one U.S. territory. Eighteen deaths have been confirmed in 15 states. Approximately 80% of patients are under 35 years old.
As a result, CDC and CDPH are urging everyone to quit using e-cigarettes, or vaping altogether, no matter the substance or source, until investigations are complete. For those who continue, consumers are urged to avoid buying any vaping products on the street. Consumers are urged to purchase cannabis products only from licensed businesses (whose products are tested) and never to modify a store-bought vape product.
If a person experiences the following symptoms of respiratory illness, please seek immediate medical attention by following up with your primary health care provider. Students may seek an appointment with their primary care provider or with a campus medical provider by calling Student Health & Counseling Service at 760-750-4915.
Symptoms of possible lung injury may include any of the following:
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
Vaping is not safe. Consumers put themselves at risk any time they inhale a foreign substance to their lungs. Vape liquids contain several dangerous chemicals, some of which cause developmental harm or are on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use these products.