Following the string of vaping related deaths across the country, federal health officials have urged people to cease the use of e-cigarettes, as they investigate these mysterious cases of illnesses and deaths stemmed from vaping. The number of people suddenly suffering from vaping related illnesses is increasing rapidly, which is of no surprise a cause for concern. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns of the staggering number of reports received from physicians of severe respiratory illness (ie. Lung Disease - Lung Cancer, Asthma, etc.) in patients who used at least one e-cigarette or vaping product before succumbing to illness.
Many of the reported cases of patients showing symptoms of severe pulmonary illness, were a result of people using vape products, containing chemicals such as THC, Nicotine, and a combination of both chemicals. Following these reports, recent findings have indicated that the chemicals found in the vape products tied to the reported cases of illness, are not to the standards set by the states that they were purchased in. These life threatening vape products at the center of deaths plaguing the country, are not subject to the regulations of state and federal law, nor are they tested for the safety of the people who use these varied products to vape. In a majority of these cases, the vape or e-cigarette products were obtained illicitly, raising the question of whether enough is being done by the states that have legalized these vaping products.
"Reports of additives, thickeners, and other unregulated substances being found in the cartridges seized from patients."
After the recent attention in national news, it seems law makers are making swift stern stances on vape & e-cigarette products. President Trump recently announced his push for a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes and vape products. This coming after the already existent concern for minors being at risk of tobacco addiction & dependency. The ineffective and lax laws currently in place for e-cigarette and vape product regulation, have not been able to maintain a reasonable standard for the vape products available on the market. Due to the ease of purchase & unrestricted access minors have to e-cigarettes and varied vaping products, the potential for under-aged children abusing the substances used in vaping are very high. This is extremely alarming, when taking into consideration the addictive properties of many of the chemicals found in these vaping products, and the rapid rate at which people are becoming ill as a result of them.
It is currently unclear what exactly is causing all of these illnesses related to e-cigarettes and vaping, but it is obvious that the quickest way to end this sudden rise in people becoming ill, is to end all use of the suspected cause. There have been reports of additives, thickeners, and other unregulated substances being found in the cartridges seized from patients. These unsafe substances found in the flavored vape & e-cigarette products, are believed to be the primary cause of the reported cases of illness. Health officials say there is more research that needs to be done, to find the definitive cause of these vaping deaths. While more research is being done to tackle the immediate threat of this vaping crisis, health officials have also warned the public against purchasing vape & e-cigarette products illicitly. In almost all cases of people suffering from vaping related illness, it was found that they had used at least one illicitly purchased flavored vape or e-cigarette product.
"Illegal vape products threaten the cannabis market, with unsafe chemicals, and additives."
This draws attention to the size of the illegal vape & e-cigarette market. This size of this illegal market is frightening, because the manufacturers and retailers operating within this market expose the public to dangerous products. The illegally operating manufacturers that make the harmful vaping products flooding the market, are not using substances tested and approved for safety in vaping products, and are also cutting the chemicals found in flavored vapes with synthetic chemicals to alter the appearance of the fluid inside cartridges and make greater profit from each sale.
The swift decision by law makers to place a ban on all flavored vapes, is also urged on by the stigma associated with one of the chemicals found in some of the cases. THC the chemical found in cannabis, most famous for its psychoactive properties, was found in some cartridges of vape products taken by patients before they became ill. This was not true for all cases, and is also not confirmed as a cause of death.
The chemical THC remains an illegal substance due to federal laws, but many have debated whether the legalization of Marijuana and related products would be a better solution to substance control. With legalization, there will be better and more uniform standards for cannabis industry products such as e-cigarettes, vaping, and more traditional marijuana consumption. States will have an easier time regulating quality and access to these products and most importantly, make them safer for the public. By ensuring that all manufacturers and businesses are operating under the laws set forth. Cannabis products can then become safer, and the public community of stoners can begin to put more trust in the products that they buy. This will also encourage those manufacturers and businesses that operate outside of the law, to not only have a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to keep products safe, but also encourage the adherence to standards set forth with legalization... if it were to happen.
.jpg)
Comments