19 Sep Illnesses, Deaths Tied to Vaping

Illnesses, Deaths Tied to Vaping

According to new reports, the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) is believed to be responsible for five deaths and 450 severe lung injuries. Read this article from SHRM for more information on vaping.

The use of electronic cigarettes, also known as vaping, is believed to be responsible for five deaths and 450 severe lung injuries in what appears to be a nationwide epidemic, according to new reports.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated and produce vapor that simulates smoking. They can resemble regular cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, USB sticks and other everyday items. They do not burn tobacco, but the device heats a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals.

While most employers ban smoking in the workplace, their policies don’t always extend to e-cigarette products. However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health alert on Aug. 30 warned that severe pulmonary disease is associated with using e-cigarette products. The agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched a multistate investigation into the lung illnesses on Aug. 1. 

“Although more investigation is needed to determine the vaping agent or agents responsible,” wrote Dr. David C. Christiani of the Harvard School of Medicine, “there is clearly an epidemic that begs for an urgent response.” He shared his comments in the Sept. 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, along with the preliminary report “Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and Wisconsin.” 

The CDC is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, states and other public health partners and clinicians to determine what is sickening users, and in some cases resulting in fatalities. On Friday, it suggested that people refrain from using e-cigarette products during its investigation.

SHRM Online has collected the following articles about this topic from its archives and other trusted sources.  

5 Deaths Linked to Vaping. Officials Are Urging Consumers to Stop. (Chicago Tribune)

How Are You Handling Vaping at Work? (SHRM Online)

More States Ban Vaping, E-Cigarette Use in Workplaces (Bloomberg)

Florida Adds Vaping to Regulated Indoor Smoking (SHRM Online)

SOURCE: Gurchiek, K. (6 September 2019) “Illnesses, Deaths Tied to Vaping” (Web Blog Post). Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/Pages/Illnesses-Deaths-Tied-to-Vaping-.aspx