The Real Facts About Vaping Lung Illness

THE FACTS ABOUT VAPING LUNG ILLNESS
In 2019, a sudden outbreak of lung illnesses linked to vaping, commonly referred to as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury), sparked widespread concern and confusion. Many people initially believed that nicotine-based e-cigarettes were the primary cause. However, further investigation revealed that the real culprit was not the legally regulated nicotine products but rather illicit, black-market cannabis vapes.

The Cause: Illicit THC Products

As the outbreak unfolded, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies began to pinpoint the true cause of the lung illnesses. The majority of the cases were linked to vaping products containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, particularly those obtained from unregulated and illegal sources.

A key factor in these cases was the presence of Vitamin E acetate, a substance often used as a cutting agent in illicit THC cartridges. Vitamin E acetate is harmful when inhaled and was found in the lung fluid of many patients who developed EVALI. It was this substance, not nicotine or nicotine-based e-cigarettes, that was responsible for the outbreak (​Wikipedia, Detroit Metro Times).

Misconceptions and Media Coverage

The media coverage at the time often blurred the lines between nicotine vapes and THC vapes, leading to public confusion. According to a poll, 58% of Americans incorrectly believed that nicotine vapes were to blame for the lung illnesses, while only 34% identified cannabis products as the cause (Detroit Metro Times). This misunderstanding fueled public fear and led to policy responses that targeted nicotine vapes, even though they were not the primary cause of the outbreak.

The Impact of Misinformation

The misinformation surrounding the outbreak had significant consequences. For instance, many ex-smokers who had successfully quit smoking by switching to vaping were scared back into smoking cigarettes. Additionally, bans on flavored e-liquids in response to the crisis inadvertently created a new black market for these products, compounding the problem (Detroit Metro Times).

Conclusion: Focus on the Facts

It's crucial to focus on the facts when discussing vaping and public health. The 2019 lung illness outbreak was not caused by regulated nicotine vaping products but by dangerous, illicit THC products that contained harmful additives like Vitamin E acetate. As the conversation about vaping continues, it's essential to separate fact from fiction to ensure that public health policies are based on accurate information and that smokers have access to safer alternatives like regulated nicotine vapes.

For more detailed information, you can check the full analysis on the [CDC's report](https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html).

Matt Ramage - The Vapor Bar

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