Outbreak of Severe Lung Disease, E-cigarettes

Outbreak of Severe Lung Disease, E-cigarettes 

CDC Director's Statement on the first death related to the outbreak of severe lung disease in people who use e-cigarette or "vaping" devices

We are saddened to hear of the first death related to the outbreak of severe lung disease in those who use e-cigarette or "vaping" devices. CDC's investigation is ongoing.

We are working with state and local health departments and FDA to learn the cause or causes of this ongoing outbreak.

This tragic death in Illinois reinforces the serious risks associated with e-cigarette products.

Vaping exposes users to many different substances for which we have little information about related harms - including flavorings, nicotine, cannabinoids, and solvents. CDC has been warning about the identified and potential dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping since these devices first appeared. E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.

-Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What are e-cigarettes?

• E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid.
• E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine--the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products--flavorings, and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol. Users inhale this aerosol into their lungs. Bystanders can also breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales into the air.
• E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called "e-cigs," "e-hookahs," "mods," "vape pens," "vapes," "tank systems," and "electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)."
• Some e-cigarettes are made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some resemble pens, USB sticks, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or "mods," do not resemble other tobacco products.
• Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called "vaping."
• E-cigarettes can be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs.

E-cigarettes have the potential to benefit adult smokers who are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products.

E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.

While e-cigarettes have the potential to benefit some people and harm others, scientists still have a lot to learn about whether e-cigarettes are effective for quitting smoking.

If you've never smoked or used other tobacco products or e-cigarettes, don't start.

Additional research can help understand long-term health effects.