Vaping death investigators warn NO e-cigarettes are safe – as industry blames illegal vapes
INVESTIGATORS probing the deaths of six people who contracted vaping-related lung diseases have warned that NO e-cigarette is safe.
US health bosses say they aren't ruling out any products on the market - despite vaping industry officials trying to blame illegal cannabis products.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the cause of at least six deaths and 450 reported cases of lung illnesses linked to the devices.
Dr Dana Meaney-Delman, who is leading the investigation, said people should stop using any electronic cigarette or vaping device until there is more conclusive evidence of a cause.
She said: “We’re trying to prevent any additional cases and deaths."
The agency lead has so far reviewed data from 64 patients, including cases published on Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine, as well as other reports.
Dr Meaney-Delman said 80 per cent of those patients reported the use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis.
“Unlike the US, all e-cigarette products in the UK are tightly regulated for quality and safety by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and they operate the Yellow Card Scheme, encouraging vapers to report any bad experiences.
"Our advice remains that e-cigarettes are a fraction of the risk of smoking, and using one makes it much more likely you’ll quit successfully than relying on willpower alone. But it’s important to use UK-regulated e-liquids and never risk vaping home-made or illicit e-liquids or adding substances, any of which could be harmful.”
Prof Martin McKee from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is the latest UK-based expert to raise "serious concerns" about the devices.
He urged PHE to stop promoting e-cigs as a means to helping smokers quit.
We haven't had e-cigarettes for long enough to know the true effects. But when we look at the evidence we do have, there are enough grounds for serious concerns
Prof Martin McKee
"The nicotine in e-cigarettes is not a harmless drug and then there are all these other things such as flavourings that are inhaled.
"We haven't had e-cigarettes for long enough to know the true effects. But when we look at the evidence we do have, there are enough grounds for serious concerns.
"Given the short-term effects on lung function and cardiovascular effects, there is enough evidence to say we should be very, very careful."
His comments aren't the first to throw the safety of vaping pens into question.
We previously revealed that millions of vapers are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke, with vaping increasing the risk by as much as 71 per cent.
Two popular flavourings - caramel and popcorn - have also been found to destroy lung function.
And in March, a study found that vapers were twice as likely to suffer wheezing and breathing difficulties as non-smokers.
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