Buffalo, NY (WBEN) About 150 teens have reported hospitalized around the country with respiratory issues associated with vaping. While doctors say they're not sure what the cause is, vaping experts in New York believe the have the answer.
Sethi says if teens have difficulty with nicotine withdrawal, they can look into treatments for that. "For most of them, it's just an issue of doing it because it's cool," notes Sethi.
As far as a possible cause, Cheryl Richter of the New York State Vapor Association believes she can solve that mystery. "As these investigations have been reported, it seems clear, these were adulterated THC cartridges," says Richter. THC gives marijuana users the high. "It was confirmed by California, Indiana and Minnesota. This makes sense because THC in most of those states except California is an illegal product, so they're bought on the street."
Richter says while doctors have concerns about the flavorings in e-cigarettes, Richter says they serve an important purpose. "The flavors help people who have been addicted to tobacco for many years disassociate from the taste and the smell of it. Without flavors, the success rate of vaping wouldn't be as good," notes Richter.
Richter urges teens who haven't started vaping to not do it. "We don't want anybody doing it. I was 13 years old when I started smoking. We were hooked as kids and we don't want to see another generation be hooked," warns Richter.
