Claire Dawson
Vaping has been linked to a range of health issues, including lung disease, heart disease, and nicotine addiction. In 2019, a steep rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping products was observed, with patients presenting respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. By February 2020, over 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths were recorded due to vaping-related lung injuries, termed EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury). This led to an investigation by the CDC, which found that over 80% of hospitalized EVALI patients had used vaping products containing THC, often obtained from informal sources. As of 2023, the number of e-cigarette exposure cases continues to rise, with a 32% increase from April 2022 to March 2023, emphasizing the ongoing health risks associated with vaping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | April 1, 2022–March 31, 2023 |
| Total e-cigarette exposure cases | 7,043 |
| Number of e-cigarette exposure cases among children aged <5 years | 6,074 (87.8%) |
| Number of e-cigarette exposure cases resulting in hospital admission | 43 (0.6%) |
| Number of e-cigarette exposure cases requiring treatment at a healthcare facility | 582 (8.3%) |
| Number of hospitalized patients with nonfatal cases of EVALI | 2,558 (as of January 7, 2020) |
| Number of hospitalized patients with fatal cases of EVALI | 68 (as of February 2020) |
| Number of hospitalized patients with fatal cases of EVALI | 60 (as of January 7, 2020) |
| Number of people hospitalized with vaping-linked breathing problems | 22 (as of September 2019) |
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What You'll Learn
- By February 2020, there were 2,807 hospitalisations and 68 deaths from vaping-related lung injuries
- Vitamin E acetate, found in some THC-containing vapes, is linked to vaping-related lung injuries
- Vaping devices contain nicotine, an addictive substance that increases cravings
- Vaping-related lung injuries are called EVALI and require respiratory support
- Between April 2022 and March 2023, 43 out of 7,043 e-cigarette exposure cases resulted in hospital admission
By February 2020, there were 2,807 hospitalisations and 68 deaths from vaping-related lung injuries
EVALI is caused by vaping products, with over 80% of people hospitalised due to EVALI reporting the use of vaping products containing THC. Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing vaping products, has been identified as the main cause of EVALI. However, evidence suggests that other chemicals in both THC-containing and non-THC-containing products may also contribute to the illness. Diagnosing EVALI can be challenging because its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, and there is no single test for it.
The summer of 2019 saw a steep rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping products. By August 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had begun investigating the outbreak. Cases of EVALI peaked in August and September 2020, with a substantial drop in cases occurring since then. As of January 7, 2020, a total of 2,558 hospitalized patients with nonfatal cases and 60 patients with fatal cases of EVALI had been reported to the CDC.
The dangers of vaping are not limited to EVALI. Vaping has also been linked to heart disease, lung disease, and nicotine addiction. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains heavy metals and ultrafine toxic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. In addition, a study on mice found that 22.5% of subjects exposed to “e-cigarette smoke” for 54 weeks developed lung adenocarcinomas.
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Vitamin E acetate, found in some THC-containing vapes, is linked to vaping-related lung injuries
Since 2019, there has been a rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping products. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded 2,807 hospitalized cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI), resulting in 68 deaths. There was a substantial drop in cases after they peaked in August and September of 2020.
Vitamin E acetate is a chemical additive sometimes used in THC-containing products. It is strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak, but other chemicals may also be contributing factors. For example, acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, and various heavy metals are also linked to lung disease.
Those diagnosed with EVALI often require hospitalization for respiratory support and medication to reduce lung inflammation. Glucocorticoid administration has been attributed to rapid clinical improvement, including improved oxygenation. Antibiotics may also be administered while diagnostic test results are pending, as EVALI symptoms can be similar to bacterial infections.
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Vaping devices contain nicotine, an addictive substance that increases cravings
Vaping has been linked to severe lung injuries and lung diseases, including EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury). In 2019, there was an outbreak of EVALI, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations and at least 68 deaths. Many of those hospitalized were young adults, and some had to be put into medically induced comas.
EVALI causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, stomach pain, a fast heartbeat, eye irritation, and a dry and irritated mouth and throat. Treatment for EVALI includes medications to reduce inflammation in the lungs, respiratory support, antibiotics, and antivirals.
Vaping devices contain nicotine, an addictive substance. Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and increases dopamine levels in the brain. It causes cravings and withdrawal symptoms if those cravings are not met. Nicotine addiction is common among e-cigarette users, and the devices make it easy to increase the dosage and, therefore, the addiction.
In addition to nicotine, vaping exposes users to numerous toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. These include acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, and various carcinogens and chemicals known to cause lung disease.
While vaping is often considered a safer alternative to smoking, it is not without risks. The benefits of vaping for smoking cessation have also been questioned, and it may even lead to cigarette smoking later on.
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Vaping-related lung injuries are called EVALI and require respiratory support
E-cigarettes have been linked to lung disease, heart disease, and severe lung injury. Vaping-related lung injuries are called EVALI (E-cigarette, or Vaping product use-associated lung injury) and require respiratory support. EVALI is a lung disease that can develop due to vaping. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, with 68 deaths caused by the condition. There has been a substantial drop in cases since they peaked in August and September of 2020.
Many people diagnosed with EVALI need to be treated in a hospital where medications can be closely monitored and respiratory support is readily available. In more severe cases, patients may be put on a mechanical ventilator or an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine. Antibiotics may also be administered while diagnostic test results are pending, as it is difficult to distinguish EVALI from bacterial infections. Antivirals may also be used, especially during the influenza season, as EVALI causes similar symptoms to some viral infections.
The symptoms of EVALI include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Many patients with EVALI have reported using vaping products containing THC, while many others reported using nicotine-containing products. Vitamin E acetate, an additive sometimes used in THC-containing products, has been strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak. However, other chemicals of concern may also contribute to the illness.
EVALI can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and the seasonal flu virus. There is no single test for EVALI, and it is often diagnosed through a process of exclusion, where doctors rule out other potential diseases and conditions. Doctors will typically ask patients about their use of e-cigarettes and whether they vaped products containing nicotine, THC, or both.
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Between April 2022 and March 2023, 43 out of 7,043 e-cigarette exposure cases resulted in hospital admission
E-cigarettes have been linked to a range of health issues, including lung disease, heart disease, and nicotine addiction. One of the most well-known conditions associated with vaping is EVALI (E-cigarette, or Vaping product use-associated lung injury), which has led to thousands of hospitalizations and several deaths.
While the number of hospitalizations due to vaping-related issues in this period is significantly lower than in previous years, it is still a cause for concern. In 2019, there was a steep rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping products, with patients presenting respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, with 68 deaths.
The cause of EVALI has been linked to the use of THC-containing vaping products, particularly those containing vitamin E acetate, a chemical additive. Many patients hospitalized with EVALI reported using vaping products obtained from informal sources, such as family, friends, dealers, or online.
It is important to note that the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, and the full extent of its impact on health may not be fully understood.
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Frequently asked questions
As of February 2020, there have been over 2,800 cases of people hospitalized due to vaping, with 68 deaths.
The main reason for these hospitalizations is a condition called EVALI (E-cigarette, or Vaping Product, Use Associated Lung Injury), which causes respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.
Treatment for people hospitalized with EVALI includes medications to reduce lung inflammation, respiratory support, antibiotics, and antivirals.
