12/17/2019
DPH Reporting a Total of 46 Cases of Vaping-Associated Lung Injury
Now Reporting Only Cases Resulting in Hospitalization
Future Updates on Vaping Related Lung Injury will be Posted online
Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today is reporting that 46 Connecticut residents have been hospitalized with lung injuries associated with using e-cigarettes or vaping since August. Consistent with national changes in reporting cases of E-Cigarette and Vaping Product use Associated Lung Injuries (EVALI) by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Connecticut DPH will now only be reporting cases that result in hospitalization. In addition, all future vaping related lung injury updates will be provided through a new information page on the DPH website that will be updated weekly: vaping
“Over 150 products containing THC have been reported by the patients who have been treated for these lung injuries,” said DPH Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell. “I am recommending that Connecticut residents consider refraining their use of e-cigarette or vaping products with THC until a definitive source for these serious injuries are identified.”
THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and even though CDC has identified that Vitamin E acetate is likely associated with these injuries, other chemicals may also be contributing, and many different substances and product sources remain under investigation.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of December 10, 2019, a total of 2,409 hospitalized cases have been reported to CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands). The CDC also reports there have been 52 deaths confirmed in 26 states (including one in CT) and the District of Columbia.
For people who would like assistance with quitting tobacco use, the statewide tobacco use cessation telephone Quitline is available via 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), online at CommitToQuitCT.com, and smartphone apps may be downloaded from https://SmokeFree.gov. Teens may text DITCHJUUL to 88-709. For anyone who would like assistance with quitting their use of cannabis products, residents may call 211 or (800) 203-1234 for a referral.
Ongoing information about the national investigation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be found online:
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
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