On Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that five more cases of vaping-related illness have been reported, bringing the statewide total to 10.
In a statement released by the public health officials, three cases have a probable vaping-related injury, while two have a confirmed vaping-related injury.
The health authorities said they have reported the new cases to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Public Health Commissioner of the Massachusetts DPH Dr. Monica Bharel has urged doctor to immediately report any type of lung injury related to vaping to the department.
“While no one has pinpointed the exact cause of this outbreak of illness, we do know that vaping and e-cigarettes are the common thread and are making people sick,” said Dr. Bharel. “The information we’re gathering about cases in Massachusetts will further our understanding of vaping-associated lung injury, as well as assist our federal partners.”
Among all the 10 cases in Massachusetts, 50 percent of the patients are under 20 years of age, while 30 percent are between the ages of 40 and 49 years, and the remaining 20 percent are between the ages of 20 and 39.
The health officials also said that seven of the 10 cases are women.
Meanwhile, the owners of six vape shops in Massachusetts are suing the state due to a temporary ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, which has escalated the tension between public health officials and retail marketers.
Last week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products, including marijuana and tobacco, and declared a public health emergency.
Mr. Baker said, “The purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents.” The vaping industry has been arguing that this ban is off base and the main problem is illegal products that contain THC, a psychoactive drug in the cannabis plant.
