This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
AMA urges public to avoid e-cigarettes
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The AMA implored the public to stop using e-cigarettes until health officials can determine the cause of e-cigarette-associated lung illnesses in the United States.
“The AMA recommends anyone who has recently used e-cigarette products to seek medical care promptly if they experience any adverse health effects, particularly coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain, AMA President Patrice Harris, MD, said in a press release.
“The AMA also calls on physicians to make sure their patients are aware of the dangers of e-cigarettes, including toxins and carcinogens, and swiftly report any suspected cases of lung illness associated with e-cigarette use to their state or local health department,” she added.
Harris also urged the FDA to hasten its regulation of e-cigarettes, remove all unregulated products from the market and ban all flavors and marketing practices that make e-cigarettes more appealing to young people.
Harris’ comments came shortly after the FDA warned Juul Labs for marketing its products as modified risk tobacco products, without an appropriate FDA order in effect.
NBC News reported that six people have died from vaping-related illnesses, and that at least 478 confirmed or suspected cases of vaping-related illnesses have been reported by state health departments .
Last week, the CDC reported that many of those patients also reported use of THC-containing products; however, no specific substance or product has been linked to the disease and it remains unclear whether the rash of respiratory illnesses are the same disease or different diseases with similar presentations. – by Janel Miller
Disclosure: Healio Primary Care was unable to confirm Harris’ relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.