CDC Revises Stance on E-Cigarette Devices

Joel Giambra
Photo credit (WBEN Photo/Brendan Keany)

BUFFALO (WBEN) - While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still leery about the use of e-cigarette devices, the agency has since walked back from its complete warning against all products.

Joel Giambra, who represents Demand Vape, shared some of the study's findings at a press conference Wednesday morning.

"The available evidence shows that Vitamin E (acetate) is strongly linked to the outbreak of the recent lung illness and deaths," he said. "Vitamin E is an oil sometimes added to dilute the THC contained in vaping products."

Major conclusions from the study:

  • "CDC and FDA recommend that people not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers."
  • "Vitamin E acetate should not be added to any e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Additionally, people should not add any other substances not intended by the manufacturer to products, including products purchased through retail establishments."
  • "E-cigarette, or vaping, products should never be used by youths, young adults, or women who are pregnant. Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette, or vaping, products."
  • "THC use has been associated with a wide range of health effects, particularly with prolonged frequent use. The best way to avoid potentially harmful effects is to not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products."

"Most patients in the CDC investigation had vaped the THC-containing products obtained from informal sources, also known as the black market," Giambra continued. "It is time to separate nicotine vaping products from the Vitamin E-containing THC vaping products. Based on the latest research from the CDC, the CDC report and recommendations is an important breakthrough in clarifying that recent outbreak of lung illness associated with Vitamin E in the THC vaping products, has been the culprit."

Jon Glauser is the chief strategist officer for Demand Vape, and he was asked about one of the biggest concerns regarding the industry - keeping these products out of the hands of children.

"I don't want any child under the age of 21 using flavored products, unflavored products or any nicotine products, and that, in all honesty, is our number-one priority," he said. "Is there a problem? Are kids using these products? Absolutely, and it needs to be addressed - not at the expense of adults, but we need to do it reasonably; we need to execute on it, and we do want to work with the legislature and the governor to make sure that happens."

With the recent research now available, Giambra says it's time for lawmakers to step back from their attacks on the industry, especially as it helps many addicted smokers stay away from combustible cigarettes.

"Our state lawmakers and the governor must recognize that commercially-made nicotine products have not been identified as the cause of this recent outbreak of lung disease, illness and unfortunate deaths."