Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, reported in early January 2020 that the province’s first case of vaping-related lung illness has been diagnosed. This most recent patient brings the total of diagnosed cases of Canadian vape illnesses to 15.

At Least 15 Canadian Patients Diagnosed with E-Cigarette Lung Disease

According to the Edmonton Journal, the newest Canadian patient to be diagnosed with vaping-related lung illness is an adult who began to suffer from lung problems in December 2019 after inhaling nicotine from an e-cigarette. The patient is allegedly recovering at home after a hospitalization.

Although many cases of e-cigarette vaping illnesses have been linked to vape pods containing THC, or the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, the Alberta patient allegedly only came into contact with nicotine pods.

Canada Vape-Related Illness Reports on the Rise

Canada has been tracking incidents of e-cigarette lung disease after an epidemic of vaping lung illnesses in the U.S. drew international attention to the potential dangers of these devices.

While only 15 Canadian patients have been diagnosed with vaping-related illnesses so far, more than 2,500 U.S. patients have been hospitalized due to these illnesses. 55 U.S. patients have died from complications of vaping lung and heart problems.

The Canadian government announced in December 2019 that the country is planning to ban e-cigarette advertising and promotions at convenience stores and on public transit and social media platforms.

However, unlike the United States government, Canada has not yet instituted any bans on fruit or dessert flavored vape pods. According to many anti-vape advocates, these fruity flavors may be especially enticing to underage vape users.

Although vape and e-cigarette manufacturers have denied claims that these companies intentionally market their products to teenagers and minors, many of the people who have become sick due to vaping illnesses have been teenagers or young adults. Of the 15 Canadian cases of vape-related lung illnesses, three patients were teenagers and four were between the ages of 20 and 34.

Side Effects of E-Cigarettes and Vapes

While many previous smokers of traditional cigarettes have switched to vapes and e-cigarettes due to the belief that these devices may be safer, mounting evidence indicates that this may be untrue. Recent research into vaping-related lung and heart problems has uncovered a potential culprit responsible for these issues.

E-cigarette lung disease has been linked to vitamin E acetate by U.S. researchers.  Vitamin E acetate is a thick and oily chemical often used as an additive in vaping liquid pods. The additive is used to thicken the liquid, and is most often added to THC vape pods, rather than nicotine pods. The chemical has been found in the lungs of patients who have been hospitalized due to vaping lung illnesses.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with e-cigarette lung disease after using e-cigarettes or vapes, you may be eligible to hire a qualified attorney and file a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of these devices.