US identifies likely culprit of vaping illness outbreak

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WASHINGTON, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – US health officials said Friday they
had identified vitamin E acetate as the likely culprit behind a vaping-linked
lung injury epidemic that has killed 39 people and sickened more than two
thousand.

Investigators have previously pointed to the oil, which is sometimes used
as a thickening agent for vaping products that contain the psychoactive
substance THC, as a possible cause of the outbreak.

But they are more certain now after it was detected in all 29 patients
selected for a lung fluid study carried out by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).

“These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary
site of injury within the lungs,” said Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s principal
deputy director, calling it a “very strong culprit of concern” and describing
the new work as a breakthrough.

“No other potential toxins were detected in the testing conducted so far,”
she added.

Vitamin E acetate is found in many foods and is also used in supplements
and in cosmetics products like skin cream, but interferes with lung function
when inhaled.

A CDC release added that more investigation was required to definitively
confirm a causal link and that it remained possible more than one toxin was
responsible for the outbreak, which officials have called “e-cigarette or
vaping product use associated lung injury” or “EVALI.”

– Minimum age push –

The announcement came as President Donald Trump said he supported raising
the minimum age for the purchase of e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 as part of a
plan to curtail a surge in youth vaping.

But he also indicated that he was concerned about over-regulation of
business, a sign the administration is considering stepping back from a
previously announced ban on flavored e-juices popular among adolescents.

“We’re going to be coming out with a very important position on vaping,”
Trump told reporters. “We have to take care of our kids, most importantly, so
we’re going to have an age limit of 21 or so.”

He added that a policy paper would be issued next week.

The administration announced in September it would soon ban all flavored
products, but it appeared lobbying efforts by the vaping industry may have
changed that position, with potential exemptions for mint and menthol flavors
mooted.

“We have a lot of people to look at, including jobs, frankly,” said Trump.
“It has become a big industry. We’re going to take care of it.”

The federal minimum age for purchasing tobacco products is 18, but 18
states and the District of Columbia have set their minimum age at 21.

Raising the federal minimum age requires an act of Congress, and the cause
has attracted bipartisan support, with one proposed bill co-sponsored by
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

– Reprieve for industry? –

Vaping is increasingly popular among youth, with a 2019 government survey
published this week finding that more than five million middle and high
school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, an all-time
high.

Youth vapers overwhelmingly chose flavors like mint, mango, cream, fruit
and cucumber, unlike older users trying to quit smoking, who turn more often
to tobacco-flavored pods.

The proposed flavor ban has caused an outcry among vaping businesses, who
argue they strictly ID their customers to confirm their age, and say their
livelihoods are at risk.

The administration may also be wary of a possible political backlash, with
hashtags like “We vape, we vote” recently appearing on social media and
protests planned against more regulation.

White House advisor Kellyanne Conway told reporters earlier this week vape
shops may be exempted, leaving open the possibility that outlets like gas
stations and convenience stores might be the ones affected by new
regulations.