NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Health has received reports of 49 cases of
serious lung injury among people who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. This is
an immediate public health concern with potentially severe consequences.
At this time, no single product or substance has been linked to all the lung injury cases and the
specific chemical or ingredient causing lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use or vaping
remains unknown.
While this investigation is ongoing, TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommend Tennesseans consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products.
Regardless of the ongoing investigation, youth should not use e-cigarette or vaping products,
and adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start. TDH also advises that
women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette or vaping products. Adults who used ecigarettes to quit cigarette smoking are advised not to return to smoking cigarettes.
TDH in partnership with CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating these
cases as part of a nationwide outbreak of severe pulmonary disease among people who use ecigarettes or vape, with nearly 1,300 cases reported to date in 49 states.
TDH is providing information about this investigation and the number of Tennessee patients
associated with this outbreak online at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/vaping-illness.html.
Electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices are not approved by the FDA for smoking
cessation. Smokers attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments including
counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco products
including e-cigarettes, contact your health care provider, your local health department or the
Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.tnquitline.org/.
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