U.S. officials investigating a mysterious illness linked to vaping said the affected patients reported using THC — the high-inducing component of cannabis — more often than nicotine, according to data released Sept. 27 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Sept. 24, the CDC was investigating 805 cases of lung injury and 12 deaths associated with e-cigarette use or vaping. The CDC collected information from 514 of those patients about the substances used in those vaping devices.
It found that 395 patients, or 76.9%, reported using products with THC, and 185, or 36%, reported using THC vaping products exclusively. The CDC said 292 patients, or 56.8%, reported vaping nicotine products, and 82, or 16%, reported exclusive nicotine-product use.
A separate July 2019 investigation of vaping-linked lung illnesses in 86 patients across Illinois and Wisconsin found 75 patients, or 87%, reported vaping with THC, while 61, or 71%, reported using nicotine, according to the CDC, which released data from the two states Sept. 27.
Patients identified many products and brand names, the CDC said.
Almost all cases with THC-containing products reported in the Illinois and Wisconsin investigation involved packaged, prefilled cartridges, and 89% of THC products came from informal sources like friends, family, illicit dealers or off the street, the CDC said. Prefilled cartridges account for 77% of nicotine products sold, while 83% came from commercial vendors, the CDC said.
Officials do not know the cause of the outbreak but prefilled THC cartridges may play a role, the CDC said. The CDC recommends that people consider not using vaping products, especially ones with THC.
The updated figures come as scrutiny of the vaping industry has intensified for reasons that go beyond the outbreak.
The Trump administration plans to ban nontobacco e-cigarette flavors as part of a broader effort to stem the rise of youth vaping.
Additionally, members of Congress have called for tighter controls on e-cigarettes and the tobacco industry.
Analysts speculate the intense scrutiny on vaping and Juul Labs Inc., in particular, ended merger talks between Altria Group Inc., which owns a 35% stake in Juul, and Philip Morris International Inc.
