The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments and other clinical and public health partners are investigating severe lung injuries linked with use of e-cigarettes and vaping products like liquids, refill pods and cartridges. 

State and local public health departments are leading the investigation, and the CDC is providing technical support to help systematically collect data, according to an Oct. 10 news release.

This epidemic cannot be traced back to a specific company, product or component of these vaping/e-cigarette devices according to the release.

The IDPH Northern Illinois Rockford Region health departments have urged the community to cease usage of e-cigarette and vaping products. The specific cause(s) of lung injury are not known yet. 

Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s, according to the CDC.        

The use of THC has been affiliated with a variety of health effects. There is no safe tobacco product. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, carry a risk, according to the CDC.

“The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming, and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. 

The CDC will continue to provide new data updates from this ongoing issue. There is much more research needed to understand the short and long-term health effects of using e-cigarette products. 

“During this investigation into recent respiratory illnesses associated with vaping, I am urging Illinoisans to avoid using these products,” said Governor JB Pritzker. 

Contact the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES for support and resources for other methods of quitting.