Delaware state health officials on Oct. 3 confirmed the first vaping-associated death in the state.
The Delaware Division of Public Health reported the death. The health department noted that there are 11 cases of vaping-related lung injury in Delaware.
"Vaping is dangerous, and the best way to avoid this type of lung injury is to abstain from using e-cigarette products, or vaping, altogether," said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Kara Walker. Delaware Governor John Carney said the "safest way to avoid lung illness is to stop vaping."
As of Oct. 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,080 lung injury cases from the use of e-cigarette or vaping products and confirmed at least 18 deaths, not including the death in Delaware. Alabama and Virginia also recently reported fatalities.
Patients used cannabis compound THC in most of the cases, suggesting the substance plays a role in the outbreak, the CDC said in an Oct. 3 update on its investigation.
The CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are investigating the outbreak of lung illnesses. Meanwhile, states and cities including New York, Michigan, Massachusetts and Chicago have banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
