The Centers for Disease Control have revised earlier recommendations encouraging Americans to refrain from vaping due to the outbreak of vaping-related illnesses, appending it to reflect new data identifying THC products as the potential catalyst for vaping related injuries.
The CDC's revised recommendations come as a result of new data that connects vaping related injuries to vitamin E acetate and THC; THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, is a popular vaping additive to give users the same effects as smoking marijuana, while vitamin E acetate is used to dilute THC in vaping oils. The CDC's previous recommendation was for Americans to avoid vaping completely, while the new recommendation advises Americans to avoid THC based vaping products. The CDC still recommends that underaged, pregnant, and non-tobacco using Americans still should not vape.
The outbreak of vaping related illnesses, termed EVALI by the CDC (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), has been a cause for concern nationwide after thousands of hospitalizations and sixty deaths were attributed to vaping. Of those hospitalized with EVALI, 83% had reported using THC products. Additional studies linked vaping to other respiratory illnesses such as COPD and Asthma.
Reactions to the government's attempts to negate vaping related illnesses have been markedly mixed thus far. Public concern over vaping, primarily regarding youth being able to obtain vaping paraphernalia, has spiked as admittance to hospitals for vaping continues. There is, however, considerable pushback against the knee-jerk reactions of regulators. Experts have warned that dissuading or otherwise denying people access to vaping paraphernalia could have unintended consequences for smokers looking for a safer alternative. Additionally, vape shops have suffered from public concern and the reaction by lawmakers. Some are calling bans unnecessary given the recent raising of the federal smoking age from 19 to 21, supporters of vaping and vape shop owners are claiming that the new regulation will address concerns of youth vaping.