USA: 18 dead and more than 1,000 vaping patients

The United States coughs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established a new record of deaths and people with lung diseases in relation to the consumption of electronic cigarettes. He passed Thursday to 18 dead and 1,080 sick. Last week, the number of deaths recorded was 12, with 805 patients. The increase is due to the reclassification of old cases as well as new cases in hospitals.

"Unfortunately, the epidemic (…) continues at a rapid pace," said CDC senior executive Anne Schuchat in a conference call with the press. "We do not observe a decline in the occurrence of new cases". 78% of the patients for whom information is available indicated that they had used refills of vapers with THC, the psychoactive agent of cannabis. "The black market is of great concern to us," said Anne Schuchat.

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400 samples analyzed

More than 400 samples are in the hands of the federal agency FDA who analyzes them in the hope of finding the ingredient or ingredients that may have caused the lung lesions, among the many additives, solvents, oils and flavors added in e-liquids. "We have the impression that there are a lot of bad things in e-cigarettes and vaping products," added the manager.

"The samples we analyze give different results, and no single substance has been identified," said Judy McMeekin of the FDA. The THC concentrations of e-liquids tested ranged from 14 to 76%, according to her. The median age of those who die is 49 and a half, said Anne Schuchat, but 80% of patients are under 35 years old.