Louisiana has reported its first vaping-related death. Nationally, there have been 40 deaths. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says so far, 30 cases of vaping lung injuries have been diagnosed in the state.
“We hope to not see more in Louisiana, but for that to happen, folks are going to have to be vigilant and approach these products with all the caution and discretion that they deserve,” said Kanter.
The identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.
The median age for victims who suffered injuries is 29-years-old, with the youngest person being 17 and the oldest being 71. Kanter says there is still much mystery surrounding vaping and what is causing the lung injuries to happen.
“Of all the cases of vaping related lung injury that we have seen in Louisiana so far, the majority of them are from products that had both nicotine and THC in it,” said Kanter.
55 percent of those reporting lung injuries stem from vape products that contained the combination. One in five individuals reported using nicotine alone. Recent data indicates middle and high school vaping rates have doubled since 2017 in Louisiana. In 2019, an estimated 32 percent of high schoolers and 15 percent of middle schoolers reported using vape products more than once.
Kanter says there is only one recommendation in mitigating the risk of lung injuries from vaping.
“Bottomline recommendation from the Louisiana Department of Health is not to vape, period if that is possible. That said, it is very difficult for those who have developed a nicotine addiction to quit,” said Kanter.
Kanter adds the Louisiana Tobacco QuiteLine (1-800-QUIT-NOW) , often used by cigarette smokers, can help provide resources to those who want to stop vaping as well.
