Vaping and E-Cig Related Illnesses

For years, the makers of e-cigarettes and vaping devices have been touting their products as the safer alternative to smoking nicotine cigarettes. Now, reports and studies are beginning to show these newer devices can also cause death and serious injuries. The manufacturers and distributors of e-cigs and vaping devices may be subject to product liability lawsuits because their products are dangerous – and because the marketing of e-cigs as “safe” is turning out to be patently untrue.

What is an e-cig?

An electronic cigarette (called an e-cig) is a handheld battery-powered vaporizer. An e-cig simulates traditional smoking but doesn’t burn tobacco. Instead, an electronic heating element creates a “vapor” that can be inhaled. “Vaping” is another way of saying someone uses an e-cigarette.

To date, close to 1,100 vaping illnesses have been reported, and at least 23 people have died. At least of the illness victims were from Oklahoma.

Lessons from a doctor on the front lines of treating teenagers with vaping illnesses

NBC news recently questioned Dr. Sharon Levy about the current causes and effects of vaping and e-cig products, in response to several deaths and numerous illnesses related to these products. Dr. Levy is the director of the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction program at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her clinic is treating many of these affected patients.

Dr. Levy believes that vaping may be equally dangerous to smoking nicotine cigarettes because e-cigs and vapes, such as Juuls, allow the user to inhale the nicotine faster and at much higher doses. The higher doses make a big difference, she says, for both nicotine and THC. The dosage difference explains why examining e-cigarettes shouldn’t be done the same way as examining traditional cigarettes. Parents shouldn’t assume that the dangers and treatments involved with vaping are the same as the older methods.

Additionally, she says, the analysis needs to focus on the developing brain instead of the mature brain because many of the vaping users are teenagers.

What you should know about flavorants in e-cigs

The federal government and state governments are focusing on the dangers of flavored e-cigs, and with good reason. The flavors help entice teens to start and stay with vaping. The flavors also hide the less palatable sensations involved with vaping. Dr. Levy also said, “The other big issue with flavors is that they’re completely unregulated. Nobody knows what they’re going to do to the lungs.”

What’s also not clear is whether the flavoring chemicals have an adverse effect on lung illness in addition to the nicotine and other chemicals. Flavoring bans, like the one the Trump administration wasn’t to impose, apply to vaping with nicotine but won’t affect vaping with THC, because the FDA and most states don’t regulate THC, because it’s still illegal.

Dr. Levy adds that, “For both nicotine and THC vapes, the chemicals are always dissolved in some sort of solution, and the manufacturers don’t have to tell us what’s in there. Many products contain food additives that are generally considered to be safe … as food additives. There’s a big difference between introducing a substance into the digestive tract versus the lungs.”

The doctor doesn’t have an explanation why the illnesses are appearing now. She thinks some new toxins may be a contributing factor.

At Cunningham & Mears, we handle product liability cases, medical product liability cases, and negligence cases. We work with product safety experts and medical experts who understand and follow the latest studies confirming the dangers and effects of electronic products, medical devices, and the items we consume, breathe, and inhale. If you or a child is suffering due to a vaping illness, our Oklahoma City lawyers are ready to help you get justice. To schedule an appointment, call us at 405.212.9234 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.