The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes may trigger seizures in some people who use these vaping devices. According to a report in The Associated Press, the FDA has reviewed 35 reports of seizures among e-cigarette users, mostly young people. Regulators say that they are concerned about this probe based on what they’ve seen.
These cases go back to 2010 and were reported to the FDA or poison control centers nationwide. Officials also said they found an increase in reports of seizures beginning mid-2018. While these cases represent a small percentage of people who have vaped or used e-cigarettes, many safety issues with foods, supplements and other consumer products can go unnoticed because reporting is voluntary.
Smoking, Vaping, and Seizures
E-cigarettes are essentially electronic devices that heat a flavored nicotine solution into a vapor that can be inhaled. These battery-powered devices have grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. But they are barely regulated when it comes to how much nicotine they deliver. Many refillable e-cigarettes can be used with nicotine solutions of varying strengths.
Nicotine poisoning is a serious issue. It could lead to catastrophic health outcomes, including seizures, convulsions, and brain injury. The FDA had previously warned of potentially fatal nicotine poisoning in children who accidentally swallowed these nicotine solutions. Studies have shown links between nicotine and hyperactivity in the brain.
The FDA is asking consumers to report problems with e-cigarettes and seizures to them online or over the phone. The agency is specifically seeking information about vaping brands and models and whether users who have experienced seizures were also taking other medications, supplements, or drugs.
Problems with E-Cigarettes
While the e-cigarette industry has lashed out against this FDA investigation, saying it’s a lot of fuss about a few complaints, we know that these are not the only problems linked to e-cigarettes. Our product defect lawyers are representing severely injured clients who are victims of e-cigarettes that exploded and caused burns and other injuries. Around the country, these explosions triggered by overheated batteries have caused catastrophic injuries and even deaths.
We strongly believe that e-cigarettes should be taken out of the reach of young people, among whom these products are exceedingly popular today. E-cig manufacturers have lured and targeted our youth with enticing e-cigarette flavors ranging from cherry and cotton candy to bubble gum. We need federal and state regulations to protect the public from these potentially dangerous products.
Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-fda-ecigarettes-vaping-seizure-risk-20190404-story.html
