The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a statement on October 10th 2019 with an updated number of cases of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes like JUUL and other vaping products. As of October 8th, 2019, the CDC reported 1,299 cases of confirmed lung injury and 26 deaths associated with e-cigarette or vape use. Many of these cases are related to the use of THC-containing products that may or may not contain nicotine. The CDC recommends that e-cigarette users or vapers avoid using THC-containing products such as e-juice or pods. The CDC also recommends that people avoid buying any type of e-cigarette or vaping product off the street and refrain from adding additional substances to e-cig juice or pods.
The 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey by the FDA and CDC showed that e-cigarette use by high school students increased 78 percent from 2017 to 2018. The combination of easy concealment, fun flavors, and social acceptance of nicotine dependence on social media may be contributing to such high numbers. E-cigarette use is easy to hide as there is no smoke or smell to conceal and the devices could easily be mistaken for other household objects. The JUUL, for instance, is shaped like and charges similarly to a USB drive. Youth who are addicted to nicotine as a result of using vapes like JUUL may be hesitant to ask for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with nicotine addiction after using e-cigarettes like JUUL, please reach out for help. Nicotine addiction is hard to break but it isn’t impossible. The resources below could help you or someone you know quit smoking or vaping.
This is Quitting is a free mobile program created by the Truth Initiative that is tailored specifically for young adults who want to stop smoking or vaping. You can enroll by texting “DITCHJUUL” to 88709.
WI Tobacco Quit Line offers free coaching to Wisconsin vapers or smokers who are interested in quitting. To get started, call 800-QUIT-NOW.
Smokefree TXT for Teens & quitSTART app provides tips, inspiration, and challenges to teens interested in quitting through both texting and a smartphone app. To sign up, text “QUIT” to 47848 or download the quitSMART app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
To learn more about the outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
To see the results of the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey, visit www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/youth-tobacco-use-results-national-youth-tobacco-survey.