Vitamin E blamed for vast majority of ‘vaping cases’
Vape shop turns to home kits
NEW YORK, Dec 21, (AP): Health officials now blame vitamin E acetate for the “vast majority” of cases in the US outbreak of vaping illnesses and they say doctors should monitor patients more closely after they go home from the hospital.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the updated advice Friday.
And, in a related move Friday, authorities investigating how patients obtained possibly tainted vape products said they have shut down 44 websites advertising the sale of illicit vaping cartridges containing THC.
The new medical advice is based on a close look at about 3% of vaping illness patients who returned to the hospital after discharge and seven who died after hospital discharge.
The study suggests that vaping illnesses can get worse, even deadly, after patients leave the hospital and doctors should check on patients within two days of sending them home.
The two-day followup after hospital discharge is shorter than the previous recommendation of one to two weeks.
Compared to other vaping illness patients, those who went back to the hospital were more likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or other breathing problems such as sleep apnea. Those who died after hospital discharge were more likely to be 50 or older.
The CDC also released new information that continues to point to a culprit: vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent that’s been added to illicit THC vaping liquids. THC is the chemical in marijuana that makes users feel high.
Identified
A report published in the New England Journal of Medicine identified the substance in the lung fluid of 48 out of 51 vaping illness patients and did not find it in the lung fluid of healthy people. Vitamin E acetate also has been found in vaping product samples.
In the strongest language yet about what’s caused the outbreak, Dr Anne Schuchat of the CDC told reporters during a telephone briefing Friday that it is her “conclusion” that vitamin E acetate caused the illness in “the vast majority of patients.”
The nation’s outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries continues, but new cases are on the decline. More than 2,500 cases of vaping illness have been reported by all 50 states. There have been 54 deaths and more deaths are under investigation.
Interviews with patients and families led investigators to some of the websites that were shut down by the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The agencies did not announce any criminal charges.
The 44 website domains - with names including Stoners Marketplace and Anonymous Meds - now direct visitors to a message in red letters that says “This Site
Has Been Seized.”
Investigators have said they are not interested in taking action against individuals who use vaping products, and are focused instead on suppliers.
Some of the websites shut down were scam sites intended to collect money without ever mailing consumers any products, authorities said.
Also: HELENA, Mont:
A Montana vape store chain has announced plans to offer customers do-it-yourself vaping kits to combat the state’s new temporary ban on the sale of flavored vaping products.
Montana Public Radio reported Thursday that Freedom Vapes stores in the cities of Bozeman and Hamilton and the town of Belgrade are offering the workaround to help maintain business.
The kits allow customers to purchase vaping components separately so they can make their own products, officials said.
The option was announced by Freedom Vapes owners Ron and Deanna Marshall a day after the start of a four-month statewide ban on all flavored vaping products.
Freedom Vapes was one of the businesses that unsuccessfully sued Democratic Gov Steve Bullock and his administration to stop the ban.
The Marshalls have not returned calls for comment since the ban was put in place on Wednesday, but a statement on their shops’ Facebook page Thursday said they plan to offer the kits for the duration of the 120-day ban.
“We are trying our best to keep your needs met while we work through this blatant witchhunt (sic) against our business, and products that have helped all of you break the deadly habit of tobacco use,” the statement said.
Their Facebook announcement also warns customers that buying cheap ingredients off the shelf could lead to serious lung damage or death, they said.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesman Jon Ebelt said Friday it’s not yet clear whether the kits are in compliance with the ban.
“If retailers are offering flavor components intended for use in ecigarettes, including in the do-ityourself kits, it would fall under the temporary restriction,” Ebelt said in an email. “The flavor may be subject to enforcement.”
Do-it-yourself products may lack quality controls and health officials recommend consumers refrain from using any e-cigarettes at this time, he added.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues its investigation into lung illnesses that have sickened over 2,500 and killed 54 people in 27 states, including one in Montana.
People are urged to avoid all THC vape products and recommend not using any e-cigarette or vaping products, health officials said.