California Department of Public Health warns of the dangers of vaping

MENDOCINO Co., 9/25/19 — With hundreds of cases of vaping-related illnesses at least two deaths being reported nationwide, including 90 in California, officials at the California Department of Public Health recommended people stop vaping. The warning follows an executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom last week concerning vaping and the impacts on youth, which will place additional restrictions on e-cigarette sales and fund an outreach campaign about the dangers of vaping.

Over the last several weeks, reports of over 500 cases of vaping-related illnesses, as well as at least several deaths, have drawn nationwide concern, while the exact cause of the illnesses remains unknown. Vaping related illnesses have been found in both tobacco and cannabis smokers, and media coverage has pointed to potential causes ranging from oil thickening additives such as Vitamin E oil or flavor additives, to potential contamination from unlicensed or counterfeit oil cartridges. President Donald Trump has stated he may consider banning vaping products, and Rhode Island, Michigan and Massachusetts have temporarily banning the sale of vaping products. In California, San Francisco banned the sale of e-cigarettes in June. The CEO of leading e-tobacco company Juul has stepped down amidst the controversy.