UPDATED: Two RI Cases of Lung Damage Due to Vaping Now Reported

UPDATED: Two RI Cases of Lung Damage Due to Vaping Now Reported

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced that two RI cases have been added to the national investigation into vaping and lung injury.

This announcement comes a week after Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced a 120-day ban on selling flavored vaping products, as GoLocalProv reported.

As GoLocal wrote, those products are already banned from being sold to anyone under 18.

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The RI Cases

Both individuals experienced symptom onset in early September and were hospitalized.

One of the individuals is in the 18 to 24-year-old age range, while the other person was in the 25 to 35-year-old age range.

RI Health reports that both individuals were discharged from the hospital after approximately one week and are recovering.

“While we do not yet know what exactly is causing people to become ill across the country, we do know that these lung injuries are serious, and in some instances even fatal,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott.

She added, “E-cigarettes are addictive and dangerous. Children, adolescents, and pregnant women should never vape, and any adult who vapes should strongly consider not doing so until we know more. There are safe, effective resources in Rhode Island to help people quit using e-cigarettes. Help is available today at no cost.”

RI Health reminds anyone in need of support for quitting smoking or vaping should contact their healthcare provider or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). 

Rhode Island teens can text the Tobacco Free Rhode Island promo code HOPE4RI to 88709 to access This Is Quitting.

CDC Conducting Investigation

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of lung disease that has been associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges).

As of October 2, the CDC has confirmed 805 cases of lung injury across 46 states.

Twelve deaths have been confirmed in 10 states.

There have been no deaths in Rhode Island.

The latest findings from the investigation suggest that products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) play a role in the outbreak. THC is a component in cannabis.