Indiana reports its first vaping-related death

by Jessie Hellmann - 09/06/19 12:46 PM ET

Indiana health officials on Friday reported the state’s first vaping-related death, marking the third such death nationwide.

“The tragic loss of a Hoosier and rising number of vaping-related injuries are warnings that we cannot ignore,” Indiana Health Commissioner Kris Box said in a statement Friday.

{mosads}“We know that these products typically contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and many cases report inhaling THC and other substances not available in commercial products,” she added. “While it is unclear what substances are causing injury, when you use these products with other chemicals, you may not know everything that you’re inhaling and the harm it can cause.”

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 450 possible cases of lung illness associated with vaping.

Most of the cases involved vaping products containing THC, a compound found in marijuana.

Health officials have indicated the products are coming from the black market or “off the street.”

Oregon and Illinois have each reported a vaping-related death.

Tags Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC Illinois India Marijuana Oregon THC vaping