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Last updated: 1:33 p.m. ET on 9/30/19
This page is dedicated to providing the public with real-time updates regarding the recent federal and state investigations into the rise in pulmonary illnesses possibly related to the use of electronic cigarettes, or “vaping”.
9/27/19 – Update to CDC Investigation Notice: Outbreak of Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with Using E-Cigarette Products
9/12/19, Official Statement from the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida:
Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida’s Statement Regarding Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Injury
Contact:
Communications Office
[email protected]
850-245-4111
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Several state and federal agencies have been coordinating over the past several weeks to investigate cases of pulmonary injury possibly related to electronic cigarette product use (or “vaping”), primarily among adolescents and young adults – also being referred to as the Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury (VAPI). The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida (BTFF), Bureau of Epidemiology, and Public Health Research have received several potential reports of illness, and are investigating these potential cases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), county health departments and the Florida Poison Information Center Network.
While CDC has not identified a cause, all reported cases appear to be linked to e-cigarette use. More information is needed to conclusively determine the cause. CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are gathering information on the products and/or substances used. BTFF will provide updates as more information is available.
BTFF addresses tobacco products, including e-cigarette devices, that deliver nicotine.
The Florida Department of Health encourages healthcare providers to report cases of significant respiratory illness of unclear etiology and a history of vaping to their local county health department (floridahealth.gov/CHDEpiContact) or the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Epidemiology at 850-245-4401. For questions about treatment and clinical management of these patients, contact the Florida Poison Information Center Network at 800-222-1222.
For more information about youth vaping, please visit tobaccofreeflorida.com/eepidemic.
For more detailed information on this issue, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
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About Tobacco Free Florida
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 234,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida’s free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs.[1] To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
More information about the youth e-cigarette use, or “vaping”, epidemic in Florida can be found here:
• E-Epidemic: Vaping and Youth Blog Post
• The History of Tobacco Companies Targeting Youth
E-Epidemic Materials
[1]Mann, Nathan M, Nonnemaker, James M., Thompson, Jesse. “Smoking-Attributable Health Care Costs in Florida and Potential Health Care Cost Savings Associated with Reductions in Adult Smoking Prevalence.” 2016.
