Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'It's Time To Stop Vaping': Health Officials Amp Up Warnings As Sixth Death In Lung Disease Outbreak Is Reported
The Associated Press: Kansas Confirms State's First Death Linked To Vaping
Kansas health officials have confirmed the first death in the state related to an outbreak of a lung disease linked to vaping. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said in a news release Tuesday the recent death involved a Kansas resident over the age of 50 who had a history of underlying health issues. The unidentified patient was hospitalized with symptoms that progressed rapidly. (9/10)
Kansas City Star: Vaping-Related Disease Kills One In Kansas.
As cases of the mysterious illness have begun to arise in Kansas, officials have sounded increasingly alarmed about e-cigarettes and vaping. Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement that officials are working to determine a cause. She urged people to be careful. “Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, and please follow the recommendations of public health officials,” the governor said. (Shorman, 9/10)
Reuters: 'It Is Time To Stop Vaping': Kansas Reports Sixth U.S. Death Linked To Mystery Illness
"It is time to stop vaping," Kansas State Health Officer Dr. Lee Norman Norman said in a statement. "If you or a loved one is vaping, please stop." U.S. public health officials are investigating 450 cases of vaping-related lung illness across 33 states and one U.S. territory. The nationwide investigation led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not linked the illnesses to any specific e-cigarette product. (Lavietes, 9/10)
The Hill: Sixth Person Dies From Vaping-Related Illness
More than 450 people have fallen ill across 33 states, and officials are focusing on possible contaminants and counterfeit products. New York health officials said they’re focusing their investigation on vitamin E acetate after they found high levels of it in nearly all of the cannabis-containing vapes tested. (Weixel, 9/10)
The Washington Post: Kansas Patient Dies In Sixth Vaping-Related Illness
The Kansas death is at least the fourth reported in a middle aged or older person. Minnesota and Los Angeles county officials also reported deaths in older persons last week. The Minnesota patient was over 65 years old and died in August after a long and complicated hospitalization. (Sun, 9/10)
CNN: Vaping Deaths: Here's What You Need To Know
The first death from lung illness linked to vaping in the United States was reported in Illinois in August. The person who died was an adult. Oregon saw the second death in the nationwide outbreak, then Minnesota and Indiana. The fifth death, reported Friday, was in California. (Howard, 9/10)
KQED: 6 Potential Cases Of Vaping-Related Lung Illness Reported In Bay Area
The California Department of Public Health on Tuesday said it has identified 62 potential cases since late June of acute lung disease in people with a recent history of vaping. Some cases involve people who vaped using unlicensed or unregulated cannabis products. (Siegel, 9/10)
The Wall Street Journal: What We Know About Vaping-Related Lung Illness
Health officials think that the majority of cases have occurred within the past several months. It is possible the condition has occurred before and is only now being recognized as related to vaping, but many investigators believe it is likely caused by something new, such as an additive or toxin in the products or devices. (Abbott, 9/11)
Politico: Vaping-Related Disease Spurs Calls For Tighter Rules In Congress
Anti-tobacco lawmakers and children’s health advocates are using the moment to demand more regulation of e-cigarettes, including industry powerhouse Juul. They want to go further than Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s bill, which would raise the age for buying all tobacco to 21. And they want consistent national standards, not a state-by-state patchwork as some areas of the country plow ahead on flavor bans. (Owermohle and Roubein, 9/10)
The Wall Street Journal: One Of 15 New York City Middle-School Students Has Vaped Recently
One in 15 middle-school students in New York City public schools report having recently used an e-cigarette, according to a new report released Tuesday by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The report also shows nearly 15% of middle-school students reported having tried e-cigarettes, including one in five eighth-grade students. (West and Vielkind, 9/10)
The Associated Press: What We Know So Far About The US Vaping Illness Outbreak
A look at what we know so far about the outbreak as the investigation continues. (Johnson, 9/10)
Meanwhile, in related vaping news —
The Hill: Romney Urges HHS To Consider Recall Of E-Cigarettes
Federal health authorities should strongly consider recalling e-cigarettes in the wake of a vaping-linked illness that’s killed at least six people and sickened hundreds, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said. In a letter sent Wednesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Romney expressed concern that experts don’t know what’s been causing people to become ill — aside from e-cigarettes. (Weixel, 9/11)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio Announces $4 Million In New Anti-Vaping Initiatives Aimed At Youth, Parents
As the number of Ohioans who have suffered lung illness from e-cigarettes continues to rise, the Ohio Department of Health said it will target youth and parents with $4 million in new initiatives to prevent and reduce vaping. The Department of Health on Tuesday released the latest numbers of people who have suffered from severe pulmonary illness after vaping: 10 cases have been confirmed as being likely due to e-cigarettes. (Hancock, 9/10)
Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Health Department To Spend $4.1 Million To Curb Vaping, Especially Among Youth
The Ohio Department of Health said Tuesday that it is spending $4.1 million over two years to increase education about e-cigarettes and provide communities with resources to help curb their use. The department also reported that 10 recent cases of severe lung illnesses in the state, including two in Franklin County, are likely due to vaping, with 14 additional cases being investigated as part of a nationwide outbreak. (Viviano, 9/10)
CalMatters: Vaping Industry Breathes Easier: For Now, California Lawmakers Won’t Restrict Its Business
It’s been a bad week for Juul — which faces a growing health scare and federal accusations of false advertising to minors. But as of today, the San Francisco-based e-cigarette giant can rest assured that Sacramento legislators will not be adding to their woes anytime soon. Assemblyman Adam Gray, a moderate Democrat from Merced, announced that he was tabling his bill that would have placed new regulations on vendors of e-cigs and vape pens. His goal, he said, is to make the legislation stronger before bringing it back next year. (Christopher, 9/10)
The Associated Press: Wisconsin Man Accused Of Making Illegal Vaping Cartridges
A Wisconsin man is accused of manufacturing thousands of counterfeit vaping cartridges a day with THC oil for almost two years, running the operation with 10 employees, authorities said. Kenosha County prosecutors said the 20-year-old had employees make cartridges that were packaged to look professionally done. Authorities said the employees filled about 3,000 to 5,000 cartridges per day and were sold for $16 each. (9/10)
