More than 200 vaping-related lung illnesses reported to CDC

More than 200 cases of respiratory illness after vaping have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency said Friday.

The CDC said it has received reports of 215 possible cases of lung illness after vaping, reports spanning 25 states. Health officials said there are additional reports of pulmonary illness under investigation. 

A common link appears to be the use of e-cigarette products containing THC, but the CDC said more information is needed to determine the precise cause of the illnesses.{mosads}

The CDC said it doesn’t appear that there is one product involved in all of the cases, and it is helping states investigate whether the illnesses are linked to specific devices, ingredients or contaminants in the devices or substances associated with e-cigarette product use.

The CDC warned e-cigarette users not to buy products off the street or modify products for uses not intended by the manufacturer. 

Those who have reported severe lung illnesses after vaping have experienced difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain before hospitalization. 

Illinois state officials reported last week that one person died after experiencing a vaping-related lung illness.

E-cigarette companies have been under fire lately as health authorities struggle to deal with what they have called an epidemic of vaping among young people.