NC DHHS Press Release - Lung Injury Cases Related to Vaping Increase: E-cigarette Use on the Rise
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has issues a press release on the increased number of lung injuries related to vaping and e-cigarettes. Some highlights include:
- 61 cases in North Carolina as of 10/22 with ages ranging from 13-72
- 1,604 cases and 34 deaths so far in the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands
- Lung injury related to vaping is occurring in youth
- Approximately 79% of cases occurred in people under age 35
- Approximately 14% of cases occurred in people under age 18
- NCDHHS has joined the CDC’s efforts to urge people to consider not using e-cigarette or vaping products, especially e-cigarette or vaping products that contain THC
- No single product has yet been linked to these cases
- Another resource, the Truth Initiative, serves as a further resource and has expanded its quit-smoking resources to include a first-of-its kind e-cigarette quit program. To access TRUTH’s new e-cigarette quit program, users can text “DITCHJUUL” to 88709. QuitlineNC (1-800-QuitNow or 1-800-784-8669) is also available 24/7 with online, text and telephone programs to help young people addicted to any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.
The full press release can be found here.