The Food and D𝕴rug Administration (FDA) on Thursday launched a criminal investigation in൲to the nationwide epidemic of vaping-related illnesses after the number of cases recorded in the US jumped to more than 500.
The agency’s tobacco director, Mitch Zeller, said the agency is not interested in prosecuting individuals who use illegal products. He said the agency would like to uncover the chemical makeup of vape products and how they are being used in ways that may cause individuals to fall ill.
“We are in desperate need of facts,” said Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “The focus of their work is to identify what is making people sick, as well as a focus on the supply chain.”
“We are in desperate need of facts. The focus of [the FDA investigators’] work is to identify what is making people sick, as well as a focus on the supply chain.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 530 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in 38 states and one US territory, up f🔜rom 380 a week ago.
An eighth death in the US was reported Thursday evening when the Missouri Department of Health confirmed a man in his💯 40s died due to a vaping-related illness, USA Today reported.
A congressional subcommittee will hold a hearing on the outbreaks nex꧅t Tuesday.
President Trump said last week his administration is look🌳ing to ban all non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products.
On Tuesday, New York became the first state to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettesও and other vaping products e🐎xcept for menthol and tobacco flavors.
💝The e-cigarette maker Juul is facing a slew of lawsuits from parents, businesses, lawmakers and individuals across the country who argue the company’s misleading marketing strategy gets people hooked on their fruity flavored products without fully disclosing the risks.
Meanwhile, several TV networks — including CBS, WarnerMedia and CNN — say they will no longer air ads for e-cigarettes.
All patients have reported using either an electronic cigarette or vaping device before 𝐆falling ill, but so far, no single vaping product or ingredient has be🍸en linked to the illnesses, though most patients reported vaping THC, the high-producing ingredient in marijuana.
The FDA said it’s gathered more than 150 vaping produ🧜ct sampl🌠es for forensic analysis, according to USA Today.
The agency is looking to see if samples contain nicotin💎e, THC, and other cannabinoids, opioids, cutting agents, additives, pesticideꦆs, poisons, toxins and any other substances.
One substance, vitamin E acetate, has surfaced in some lab samples and is believed by New York health officials to be the potential cause of some of the illnesses. 🌼No one substance has surfaced in all samples.
Some cases pointed back to black market vaping products. US health officials also warned against al📖tering vaping products sold from vendo꧃rs.
State health officials in Illinois, where 69 cases and one death have been reporte💛d, are asking residents to fill out an anonymous online survey to describe their vaping habits to aid officials in their investigation, USA Today reported.
Two-thir💦ds of the cases nationwide involved 18- to🎀 34-year-olds. Three-quarters are men. Some of the first cases appeared in April.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.