Don't use any THC vaping product, FDA warns     DATE: 2024-05-23 07:38:31

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has significantly ramped up its warnings about vaping products.

The FDA is now warning against using THC vaping products of any kind as the number of people affected by a vaping-related lung illness has spiked to over 1,000.

While previous warnings have focused on black market vapes, health officials now say people should avoid vaping THC in any form, regardless of the product.

"Do not use vaping products that contain THC," the FDA said.

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The new warning comes days after the CDC reported that the number of "lung injury" cases associated with vaping has risen to 1,080. There have been 18 deaths, according to the agency.

Health officials still don't know exactly what is causing so many people to become ill, but experts now suspect THC products could play a role.

"A majority of the samples tested by the states or by the FDA related to this investigation have been identified as vaping products containing THC," the agency noted. "Through this investigation, we have also found most of the patients impacted by these illnesses reported using THC-containing products, suggesting THC vaping products play a role in the outbreak."

The FDA further warns that anyone who continues to vape should closely monitor their health for any symptoms of potential illness, including chest pain and breathing difficulties.