When consumers purchase a product, they trust that it is safe for them to use. Since food, drugs and other consumables undergo rigorous testing and are held to certain government standards, people here in Texas may assume that any product that is relatively easy to purchase is also safe, but unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Though most people know that tobacco products aren't completely healthy to consume, they likely think that most tobacco products carry a similar level of risk. However, recent findings by the Centers for Disease Control show that products known as "e-cigarettes" or "vapes" may carry a higher risk and may even be defective products. The CDC found that over 2,500 people were hospitalized last year for lung injuries associated with e-cigarettes. Furthermore, 27 states say that 55 people have died from lung injuries due to e-cigarette use. Texas alone admitted between 200-249 people to the hospital for e-cigarette lung injuries in a period of just under nine months last year. Other data from the CDC reveals that an outbreak of these types of injuries started in June and peaked in September. Though emergency room visits and hospitalizations for e-cigarette lung injuries have gone down since then, the rates are still higher than before the outbreak began. The CDC is looking at two different chemicals that may be to blame -- Vitamin E acetate and tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Patients with these types of injuries are overwhelmingly male and under the age of 35. Though the CDC hasn't made strict recommendations yet, many states have responded by banning sales of flavored tobacco in the hopes of curbing these deaths and illnesses. Those who may be wondering whether vaping is to blame for their, or a loved one's, lung injury may want to speak with an attorney here in Texas. Defective products have no place in the American market, especially if companies know about the increased risk.
Defective products: CDC reports dozens of deaths due to vaping