• Photo Courtesy of: Health.mil

LANSING - On October 4th, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a statement regarding the Emergency Rules for Protection of Youth from Nicotine Addiction.

The statement was released after the MDHHS announced the death of an adult male on October 2nd, associated with the outbreak of vaping-related lung injury in the state.

“We are saddened to announce a death associated with this outbreak,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health for MDHHS. “To protect public health, we urge people to consider refraining from vaping until the specific cause of the vaping-related severe lung injuries being reported nationwide has been identified. To help with this investigation, we are reminding health care providers to report patients that may have this condition to their local health department.”

Dr. Khaldun also supported the emergency rules in this statement, prohibiting the selling, giving, or otherwise distributing flavored nicotine products throughout Michigan.

“Implementing these rules is a huge step in protecting our kids from the dangerous effects of vaping,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “Right now, too many youth in Michigan have gotten hooked on nicotine because vaping companies are marketing flavors like candy, apple juice and cappuccino. Prohibiting the sale of these flavored nicotine vaping products will help us protect our kids and our overall public health.”

Since August of this year, there have been 30 confirmed or expected cases of vaping-related lung injury in Michigan. All cases have been reported in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and most of the individuals, ages 16-67, have been hospitalized for severe respiratory illness.

As of October 1st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,080 cases in 48 states and one territory. This includes 18 deaths from 15 states, but does not include the Michigan death and several deaths in other states reported to CDC after Oct. 1. According to the CDC, about 75 percent of the cases vaped with marijuana products in combination with nicotine or alone.

The MDHHS is also working closely with the CDC and the federal Food and Drug Administration to obtain additional information to help find any ingredients in vape materials that is causing people to fall sick. So far, no specific brand of device or e-liquid has been identified.

If E-cigarette and/or vaping users experience symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or nausea and vomiting, they should immediately seek medical attention.