The American Vaping Association, a nonprofit that advocates for sensible regulation of vaping products, is calling attention to the growing evidence that black market tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products are responsible for a string of severe lung illnesses now being investigated in 16 states by the CDC and FDA.
Gregory Conley, President of the American Vaping Association, released the following statement:
“Several health departments are now linking street vapes containing THC or synthetic drugs to these illnesses. We remain confident that this is the case across the country. The CDC and FDA have a critical role to play in not just promptly investigating these incidents, but also ensuring that adult smokers know that nicotine vaping products remain a far safer alternative to smoking.”
Earlier today, the New Mexico Department Department of Health issued a health warning specific to THC vaping products. Later, USA Today published a piece with comments from Dr. Melodi Pirzada, Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology at NYU Winthrop Hospital, who treated two patients with vaping-relating lung issues. Both of the patients’ vape products tested positive for cannabis.
“The common denominator with these cases is they’re using vape pens containing cannabis oil and other ingredients." — Doctor who has treated patients with 'vaping' related illnesses.
Article also features thoughts from AVA's @GregTHRhttps://t.co/s1WrLAHUA5 #ecigs #vaping
— American Vaping Assn (@AVABoard) August 22, 2019
For up-to-date reporting on these incidents, please see Leafly’s ongoing coverage.
About the American Vaping Association
The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and sensible regulation of vapor products, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, with the goal of maximizing the number of adult smokers who use these products to quit smoking. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.
We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor. The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
