CDC removes advisory from website recommending to consider stopping all vaping

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rolled back its overarching recommendation that people refrain from vaping while the agency conducts its investigation into the outbreak of respiratory illnesses linked to the practice.

Gone from the CDC’s website is the guideline that directed Americans to stop vaping if they were concerned about the outbreak, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The CDC posted a new recommendation Thursday that says youth, pregnant women and nontobacco users still shouldn’t vape.

Brian King, the chief science officer for the CDC’s outbreak response, said “recommendations were refined to reflect the best available scientific evidence and to best protect public health.”

More and more evidence has linked the outbreak of vaping-linked illnesses to vitamin E acetate, an oil that is sometimes used to dilute THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. 

The news comes as THC oils and other cannabis products are becoming more prevalent and more states around the country legalize weed.

King noted that vaping, regardless of whether it’s nicotine or THC, isn’t risk free, especially for young people.

According to the Journal, as of Jan. 14, there had been 2,668 hospitalized cases of vaping-related illnesses and at least 60 deaths.