UPDATE: 9/20/17 — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a “urgent warning” to Americans about the dangers of inhaling e-cigarette smoke.
The warning, released Monday, comes on the heels of a similar announcement from the Centers for Diseases Control and Disease in July.
Here’s the text of the CDC’s warning, which states, “E-cigarette use can lead to lung cancer, even among people who have never smoked cigarettes.”
The CDC says the risk of lung cancer is highest among those who smoke for a prolonged period of time and who have been using e-cigarettes for a longer time than people who don’t smoke for more than two years.
The agency says e-cig use increases the risk for lung cancer because of the nicotine it delivers and the chemicals used in the product.
In its announcement, the CDC says people who inhale smoke from an e- cigarette may be at higher risk for developing lung cancer than those who don.
It adds that “there is limited evidence that e-liquid containing nicotine or propylene glycol or other flavoring has any direct effect on lung cancer risk.”
According to the CDC, e-juice containing nicotine and other flavors can be inhaled by children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory problems.
But, the agency says, the public should avoid e-liquids containing nicotine, propylene or glycol and should avoid inhaling the vapors of e-cigs that have been heated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
The CDC also warns against “consuming e-products that are heated to over 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.”
In a statement, the American Lung Association said the warning comes after a CDC report found that vaping has become the second leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease.
The group called for the CDC to immediately provide additional guidance on how to avoid getting caught in an e cigarette explosion.
The American Lung Foundation also said it was “deeply disappointed” by the announcement.
“Ecigarettes are not an effective smoking cessation tool,” the organization said.
“The CDC should have done more to warn the public about the dangerous risks associated with vaping.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
