Nicotine use, specifically in the form of electronic nicotine delivery systems or vaping, has been steadily climbing for the past five years.

The number of people, including youth, indicating they are vaping has reached epic proportions. Some communities are identifying a four- or five-fold increase in the use of this form of nicotine.

MHA seeks to provide guidance on this crucial public health concern given the rising number of cases of severe pulmonary disease and death. Tools to address vaping – with closer examination of prevention, but also providing treatment for individuals interested in quitting – may be found here.

Information & Research

Health Advisories

• Missouri Department of Health and Human Services Health Advisory: Severe Lung Disease Associated with Vaping (8/20/19)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Advisory: Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with Using E-Cigarette Products (8/30/19)

Research

• Stanford Medicine: E-cigarette use, flavorings may increase heart disease risk (5/27/19)
• Israel Cancer Association: Vaping impacts brain stem cells (7/22/19)
• University of North Carolina Study: The impact on the lungs due to chronic e-cigarette use (8/7/19)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. View the latest updates on the CDC website.

• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Outbreak of Electronic-Cigarette-Associated Acute Lipoid Pneumonia – North Carolina, July-August 2019 (9/13/2019)

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is providing consumers with information to help protect themselves while health officials investigate recent illnesses following the use of vaping products.

• Vaping Illnesses: Consumers can help protect themselves by avoiding THC-containing vaping products (10/4/2019)

Policy

American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation:

Bridging the Gap: Status of Smokefree Air in the United States – The report discusses the ongoing problem of secondhand smoke exposure, and encourages prioritization of smokefree policy development to protect and improve the health and safety of all workers and patrons. Missouri is one of the highlighted states due to lack of policy covering employees in casino settings.

The American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation provides multiple sample policies for a variety of settings. Also included are enforcement suggestions.