As of January 14, 2020, there are 60 confirmed deaths and 2,668 cases of lung illness associated with e-cigarette use reported by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories. The investigation is still ongoing, but vitamin E acetate is strongly linked in cases of those who vape and have lung illness. This is often added as a thickening agent to e-cigarette or vaping products that have THC in them. There may also be other chemicals of concern as the investigation continues but the number of cases continues to decline. Patients with lung illness have reported using 152 different THC-containing product brands, so the illness is not likely associated with a single brand. Other substances and sources are still under investigation; there may be more than one thing causing the outbreak. Those patients who vaped or used e-cigarettes and presented with lung illness used THC-containing products obtained from informal sources in most cases.

What’s the DOD and the Centers  for Disease Control and Prevention saying? Basically – you should consider not using e-cigarette or vaping products, particularly those containing THC. THC products are also illegal for Service members to use.

DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, ARMY, AIR FORCE, NAVY AND COAST GUARD EXCHANGES REMOVED E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING PRODUCTS FROM STORES AND CONCESSIONAIRES AS OF OCT. 1.

Here’s what you need to look out for: 

• Patients in this investigation have reported symptoms such as:  
  • Coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea 
  • Fever, chills or weight loss
• E-cigarette users  should never buy  products like pods and e-liquids  from informal sources like family or friends, or in-person or online stores.   
• Do not add any substances to e-cigarette products or modify them in a way that is not intended by the manufacturer.  
• If you use e-cigarettes because you quit other types of tobacco, do not return to tobacco. Instead, we have ways to help you stay quit. 

If you use e-cigarette products like JUUL and want to quit but don’t know how to, we’ve got you covered. Check out these resources specifically to help you quit e-cigarettes. Still not convinced about all this? Find out more about other negative effects of e-cigarettes. It might just be the push you need to cut ties with e-cigarettes after all.