PKSD Newsletter: Increased Risk For Lung Disease Linked to Vaping

Initially hailed as a safer alternative to smoking, e-cigarettes began to come under fire in 2019 for the rising numbers of habitual users reporting serious lung injuries. By December 10, 2019, there were 2,409 reported cases of people in the U.S. hospitalized for lung injuries directly linked to e-cigarettes and as many as 52 fatalities to date.

PKSD discusses more about the health concerns related to the use of vaping in this month’s issue of You Should Know. The newsletter also features a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing teen vaping rates have surged to more than one in four high school students.

How Are Vapes Related To The Rise of Lung Disease?

While research into what is causing this rash of lung injuries, especially in young and healthy individuals, is still ongoing, early reports from federal health officials have found a possible link to a vitamin E acetate thickening agent. Although this ingredient appears to be added primarily to e-cigarettes containing tetrahydrocannabinol – or THC – (the derivative of marijuana that causes users to experience the high).

Investigators and health officials are warning against the use of vapes with THC but are also strongly recommending against using other forms of e-cigarettes as there could be other, yet-unknown, ingredients contributing to the rising epidemic of lung disease amongst the vape population.

This warning is backed up by the American Lung Association in recent reports it released regarding an escalated risk for lung diseases associated with the use of all of these electronic nicotine delivery systems – called ENDS – including:

• E -cigarettes, a favorite among teens
• E-pens
• E-pipes
• E-hookah
• E-cigars

Concrete Concerns About ENDS

In addition to the risk of lung injuries on the rise in habitual vape users who were formerly healthy individuals, there are other related concerns about the vaping industry as a whole:

• Most vaping products remain unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• There are over 7,700 flavors of nicotine liquid being marketed by at least 500 e-cigarette brands.
• Vape ingredients are neither monitored, nor included on the packaging – including how much nicotine is in the liquid.
• The highest percentage of vape users on the market today are teens and young adults, and that number is exploding further among users as young as grades eight and up.
• Healthcare officials are still largely uncertain about the potential for irreversible damage to the lungs or to brain development in younger vape users.

Symptoms Of Lung Diseases and Injuries Being Reported

The growing number of lung injuries among even the younger users is especially concerning. Previously healthy individuals are presenting with various respiratory problems, including:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Signs of lung damage

Contact PKSD Today For Legal Help

If you or a loved one have experienced a lung injury after vaping, we encourage you to contact our office for a free consultation with one of our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers. We are prepared to discuss your potential legal options and determine whether you may be able to pursue damages for your injury.

We charge no upfront fees to represent you and only get paid if we achieve compensation on your behalf. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call PKSD at 877-877-2228 to get started.