Vaping FAQs

is vitamin e acetate in legal vaping products

by Jamar Pagac Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Vitamin E acetate is not found in legal e-cigarettes. But it is often used by drug dealers to cut THC vape cartridges in an effort to increase their profits. “These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs,” said Schuchat.Nov 8, 2019

Full Answer

Is vitamin E acetate safe to vape?

“Vitamin E acetate is not an approved additive for New York State Medical Marijuana Program-authorized vape samples and was not seen in the nicotine-based products that were tested. As a result, vitamin E acetate is now a key focus” of New York’s investigation, New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said in a statement Thursday.

Who regulates the use of vitamin E acetate?

The Food and Drug Administration, which allows vitamin E acetate as a supplement in cosmetic lotions, regulates tobacco-related products and oversees nicotine vape products.

Did Ohio ban vitamin E acetate from medical marijuana vape products?

► Ohio banned vitamin E acetate from medical marijuana vape products Nov. 8 after the CDC’s announcement. None of Ohio’s medical marijuana vape makers was using it, so the move was preemptive.

What is the “vitamin E acetate virus”?

Vitamin E acetate is a condensing agent in vaping products, and all injured lung fluid samples appear to harbor this agent. The mysterious outbreak is identified in individuals vaping within the 90 days, ranging over a few days to developing over several weeks.

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Does vape have vitamin E acetate?

To date and to our knowledge no nicotine-vaping liquids have been reported to contain Vitamin E Acetate.

Is vitamin E acetate in nicotine vape juice?

Some of these additives found in e-liquid are dangerous — even deadly. For example, vitamin E acetate has been indicated in EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury. This is a potentially fatal syndrome associated with vaping, and it was on the rise in 2019.

Does Juul contain vitamin E acetate?

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, vitamin E acetate, an additive sometimes used in THC and other vaping products, may be to blame for a national outbreak of e-cigarette-related lung injuries that's linked to dozens of deaths.

Why is vitamin E added to vapes?

The vitamin has been found as an additive in vaping products, especially those containing THC, either as a thickening agent or dilution to make the oil in cartridges go further.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

What are the safest vape juices?

If that doesn't appeal to you, check out the best diacetyl-free e-liquids.Black Note. Black Note provides premium e-juice for the true tobacco connoisseur. ... VaporFi. VaporFi is on a mission to change smoker's lives. ... Kind Juice. Kind Juice provides a departure from your typical boring e-juice. ... Cosmic Fog.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

Does Cali plus have vitamin E acetate?

All five Cali Plug cartridges tested contained THC and MCT, but not vitamin E acetate.

What are the harmful chemicals in Vapes?

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including:ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease.volatile organic compounds.heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

What happens when u smoke vitamin E?

It has been proposed that vaping induced pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate may produce a highly toxic gas called ketene. Inhalation of ketene can cause severe lung damage in low concentrations and death in high concentrations.

Is vitamin E acetate natural or synthetic?

Tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate can be made naturally from vegetable oils or synthetically from petroleum products.

Is synthetic vitamin E harmful?

Some research suggests that taking vitamin E supplements even below these upper limits might cause harm. In one study, for example, men who took 400 IU (180 mg) of synthetic vitamin E each day for several years had an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Do nicotine Vapes have vitamin E?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

What happens when you inhale vitamin E acetate?

It has been proposed that vaping induced pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate may produce a highly toxic gas called ketene. Inhalation of ketene can cause severe lung damage in low concentrations and death in high concentrations.

What is vitamin E acetate made from?

Tocopheryl acetate is an ester of tocopherol, which is vitamin E. Tocopherol production can begin by drying out oil seeds to remove some of their moisture. After removing the shells or hulls, the seeds are usually ground, then mixed with hot water and boiled to allow some of the oil to float.

What happens when you smoke vitamin E?

Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, has been strongly linked to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreaks, according to the CDC.

Should we ban vitamin E acetate?

States "should be banning vitamin E acetate. No question," said cannabis industry executive Tyrell Towle, who is on a Colorado government advisory committee. "There's no reason to use cutting agents because you can make high-quality vape cartridges using only cannabis-derived ingredients.". Towle is director of chemistry ...

Does THC have vitamin E?

Cannabis testing company Anresco Laboratories tested THC samples sold in California and reported last month it found a high degree of vitamin E acetate contamination in illicit market samples. Of the 15 illegal-market cartridges tested, nine had vitamin E acetate at concentrations of 20%-50%. None of the more than 200 legally sold brands did.

Is Floraplex Terpenes selling cutting agents?

Floraplex Terpenes said in a statement that it planned to keep selling cutting agents. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week that the CDC’s vitamin E acetate findings underscore the importance of homing in on the toxin of concern. Here's how some other states are responding:

What are the ingredients in vape?

The ingredients of vape that are suspected of contributing to the development of vaping-related illnesses are THC and vitamin E acetate. THC is an ingredient used in many vape products, and many patients experiencing vape-related complications have admitted to using THC-containing products in the past, leading the FDA to believe that THC may play a role in the vape-related illness outbreak. The FDA has issued a public warning to stop using THC-containing vape products, as the compound may be contributing to lung illnesses related to vaping. Specifically, vitamin E acetate is most commonly used as an additive in THC-containing vape/e-cigarette products; vitamin E acetate is an oily chemical added to THC vaping liquids used to thicken or dilute them. A vape-related injury concerning a teenage boy in Canada has recently gained the media’s attention as well. The 17-year-old boy vaped “intensively,” adding THC to his devices. He initially showed symptoms aligning with bronchiolitis (lung condition normally caused by a bacterial or viral infection), but many patients that have vape-related illnesses in the United States have experienced damage to the alveoli; this type of injury was not found. Instead, his case aligned more with an injury called “popcorn lung,” an ailment most commonly seen in factory workers of microwave popcorn plants nearly 20 years ago. This new vape-related case calls for further exploration into the toxicity of vape liquid, as the patient’s condition could have been caused by the THC added to the vaping devices, or the chemical that affected factory workers in the past - diacetyl. Diacetyl is present in many e-cigarette flavors [14]. The American Lung Association has called for the FDA to require that diacetyl and other hazardous chemicals be removed from e-cigarette cartridges.

What is the purpose of vaping?

Vaping was initially marketed as a smoking cessation aid to help with cessation of cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes first took public attention in the mass media for unexpectedly blowing up, causing burns and severe facial damage [6]. In the past decade, a number of alternative vaping products have rapidly gained consumer demand, especially in, adolescents, due to the belief that they are much safer (lower nicotine content) than traditional cigarettes, choice of advertisements different flavors and ease of access to electronic nicotine delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes and vape pens). Except for menthol, the use of flavor additives has been banned from traditional cigarettes, whereas e-cigarettes are marketed in over 7,000 different flavors. Many of those flavors are found in candy and popular soft drinks and, because adolescents are familiar with such flavors, e-cigarettes are appealing to them. Tobacco smoking is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in a causative and dose-dependent manner [7]. Data from 5,400 smokers and 2,025 former smokers have found that the average number of cigarettes smoked per day by people who regularly used e-cigarettes fell by 4.4 over about two years, compared with only 2.7 for those who did not use e-cigarettes. Sixty-seven percent more e-cigarette users than non-users quit smoking altogether. However, there were 70% more relapses among former smokers who used e-cigarettes than among those who did not use the devices [8].

How many deaths from vaping in 2019?

As of November 13, 2019, there were 2,172 confirmed and probable lung injury cases "associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping, products as reported by 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as reported by the CDC. 42 deaths have been confirmed in 24 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, California (4), Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia (3), Illinois (4), Indiana (4), Kansas (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee (2), Texas, Utah, and Virginia" [21].  Vaping, may also have harmful psychological effects with a strong association between vaping, major depression and suicidal behavior as reported in a large new study [22]. The likely contributing culprit, nicotine. Prevalence of lung disease attributable to vaping is likely under reported as cases brought to the CDC are some of the most severe. For now EVALI remains a diagnosis that is made after exclusion of other conditions and needs to be reported to the CDC.

When were electronic cigarettes invented?

Electronic cigarettes were first developed in China in the early 2000s and introduced to the US market in 2007 [5]. In the US, the product experienced explosive growth, with the number of electronic cigarette users doubling every year between 2008 and 2012. While traditional cigarettes are smoked through combustion, e-cigarettes are "vaped," and the resultant aerosols potentially contain a reduced number of potentially toxic chemicals, such as nicotine and flavorings such as diacetyl and cinnamaldehyde, as well as byproducts such as formaldehyde and acrolein caused by the potential overheating of propylene glycol, and glycerin.

Does vaping affect the lungs?

The evidence on how vitamin E acetate affects the lungs of vape users is notable because vitamin E acetate has been acknowledged as a majorly harmful chemical that may be contributing to vape-related illnesses and deaths. Lung scans have revealed different outlines of lung parenchyma suggesting possible different processes in injury. One pattern points to lipoid pneumonia which can occur with lipid containing ingredients or oils aerosolized into the airways causing inflammation and compromised function [17]. The respiratory epithelium has a complicated network of extracellular membranes essential for breathing and survival. Surfactant membranes form a stable monolayer at the air-liquid interface, reducing the surface tension at the air-liquid interface, therefore stabilizing the lung against collapse and helping lungs expand. Oil in the lung interferes with this ordered/disordered lipid phase coexistence in lung surfactant with alterations in phase coexistence [18]. The American Medical Association has made calls for a ban on vaping products, and Washington state has now banned vape products containing vitamin E acetate, thought to be linked to illness [19-20]. Although the substance is not banned in the United States and has not been officially declared as a deadly substance, many states are making advances to ban the use of the chemical in vape products. States like Massachusetts are considering a ban on flavored tobacco and vape products, and in New York, Manhattan is expected to become the largest city to ban all vaping flavors except tobacco. Other states that have already banned the use of vitamin E acetate in vape products include Colorado and Ohio. Greater public awareness of this deadly condition helps with implementing comprehensive, population-based interventions for this preventable disease.

Is vaping dangerous?

CDC has detected vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with the lung injury. Vitamin E acetate is a condensing agent in vaping products, and all injured lung fluid samples appear to harbor this agent. The mysterious outbreak is identified in individuals vaping within the 90 days, ranging over a few days to developing over several weeks. There is growing evidence that vaping is hazardous to your health including immediate health dangers such as death from respiratory causes, long term health effects, cardiovascular events, depression which increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide. This review article summarizes the growing knowledge of acute respiratory complications associated with vaping.

Does vaping cause lung injury?

The New York Times recently reported an analysis of lung fluid samples from 29 patients with vaping-related illnesses (including two who died), and the analysis suggests that vitamin E acetate is a "very strong culprit" in causing lung injuries. The lung fluid samples were collected from patients across the United States so that these findings may have implications nationwide. Moreover, Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, explained, “For the first time, we have detected a potential toxin of concern, vitamin E acetate, from biological samples from patients… The analysis provided evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury in the lungs” [15]. Vitamin E acetate is sticky, giving it the ability to remain in the lungs. THC was also reported to be found in 82% of samples from 28 patients, which was remarkable as THC tends to leave the lungs quickly [16].

What is vitamin E acetate used for?

And vitamin E acetate has reportedly been used as a cheap cutting agent by illicit cannabis suppliers.

What is the culprit in vaping?

Vitamin E acetate is a key culprit in the vaping illness outbreak. The sticky chemical has been found in samples taken from people who got sick or died from vaping-related illness. By Julia Belluz @juliaoftoronto Nov 11, 2019, 10:30am EST. Share this story.

Is there direct evidence of vitamin E acetate in the lungs?

But Schuchat also emphasized the CDC’s investigation isn’t over: Officials still can’ t say for sure that vitamin E acetate is the source of harm in all cases.

Does a medical grade product have to be tested for pesticides?

But only medical-grade products are also tested for pesticides and heavy metals. The list of tests also doesn’t include checking for chemicals, such as vitamin E acetate, that have emerged as a health threat.

Is it safe to inhale vitamin E?

The chemical is a synthetic form of vitamin E, and it’s used — safely — in nutritional supplements and skin creams. But it isn’t safe to inhale. Sticky and honey-like, it can hang around in the lungs, health officials said, interfering with how they function. Samples taken from 29 patients in 10 states, for a CDC Mortality and Morbidity Weekly report released Friday, found the chemical in all samples, while other potential toxins — such as plant and mineral oils — weren’t. It’s “direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs,” Schuchat said.

Does vaping put you at risk?

Vaping manufacturers knowingly put you at risk

Does the FDA regulate nicotine vapes?

The FDA oversees Vitamin E acetate's usage as a supplement in lotions and regulates tobacco-related products, including nicotine vape products. Policing Vitamin E acetate's inclusion in THC-based vape products has proven to be much harder, considering the fact that marijuana regulations differ from state to state and marijuana is still banned at the federal level.

Is Vitamin E acetate still being studied?

As with most of the information regarding vaping due to its recent rise in popularity, Vitamin E acetate's role and effects are still being studied and determined. One thing is for sure, its inclusion has been somewhat of a recent addition; for example, vape cartridges studied in Minnesota in 2018 were without Vitamin E acetate, ...

Is vitamin E acetate bad for you?

Vitamin E acetate isn't necessarily harmful when ingested as a supplement or applied to the skin via a cream, but studies have shown it can cause harm when inhaled. Vitamin E in healthy doses is good for you; there's no debate there. It's a vitamin that dissolves in fat, and is naturally occurring in many of the wholesome foods you eat daily.

Is vaping addictive?

Vaping was designed to be addictive. Because of its antioxidant characteristics and capabilities, studies have shown Vitamin E's effectiveness in treating many conditions ranging from Alzheimer's to certain blood disorders, and even decreasing menstrual cramp pain.

Does Vitamin E acetate harm the skin?

Vitamin E acetate doesn't necessarily cause harm when ingested as a supplement or applied to the skin via a cream, but studies have shown it can cause harm when inhaled.

Is vitamin E acetate legal in marijuana?

Policing Vitamin E acetate's inclusion in THC-based vape products has proven to be much harder, considering the fact that marijuana regulations differ from state to state and marijuana is still banned ...

How many vaping deaths are there in 2019?

Basics, News, Products. As of November 5, 2019, 2,051 cases of vaping-related lung injury have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thirty-nine deaths have also been confirmed.

What is the THC in vaping?

On September 6, 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer/health professional MedWatch safety alert titled, “ Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing Vaping Products: Vaping Illnesses .” Also on September 6, the CDC issued an investigation notice regarding a multi-state outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping or e-cigarette use. At the time of this first notice, over 450 possible cases of lung illness had been reported, along with 5 confirmed deaths. As of publication, reported cases have increased to 2,051 with a death toll of 39.

Why do we use terpenes in vape pens?

Instead we use cannabis-derived terpenes in all of our vape pens to reduce the viscosity of cannabis extracts for vaping.

Is vitamin E acetate a substance?

Vitamin E acetate is a substance present in topical consumer products or dietary supplements, but data are limited about its effects after inhalation.

Can you inhale vitamin E acetate?

While the FDA does not have enough data presently to conclude that Vitamin E acetate is the cause of the lung injury in these cases, the agency believes it is prudent to avoid inhaling this substance.

Can you use THC oil in vaping?

Because consumers cannot be sure whether any THC vaping products may contain Vitamin E acetate, consumers are urged to avoid buying vaping products from the street, and to refrain from using THC oil or modifying/adding any substances to products purchased in stores.

Does Florida medical marijuana contain vitamin E?

Fortunately, Florida medical marijuana products undergo strict third-party testing procedures, with a majority of dispensaries confirming that their products do not contain vitamin E acetate.

Is vitamin E acetate safe for vaping?

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory has found vitamin E acetate in illicit vaping products associated with a recent outbreak of severe lung injury cases in the state. Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, has been strongly linked to e-cigarette or vaping product ...

Does evali contain THC?

Although EVALI has been associated with vitamin E acetate in THC-containing products, many people vape nicotine in addition to THC. Minnesota was one of the first states to join with federal and state partners to investigate the vaping-associated lung injury outbreak of 2019.

How many THC products contain vitamin E?

Vitamin E acetate was found in 10 of the 18 THC products. “This was the only thing that seemed to show up in 10 of the 18 cannabis products,” said one state official who took part in the call. On Friday, the FDA said most of the THC samples tested contained “significant amounts of vitamin E acetate.”. Although the FDA does not have enough data ...

What is vaping in a cigarette?

Vaping refers to the increasingly popular practiceof inhaling vapor from an e-cigarette device, which frequently involves heating a liquid that can contain nicotine, marijuana or other drugs. The Food and Drug Administration announced Nov. 15 a sweeping move to curb smoking and vaping among minors.

What is the chemical in cannabis?

arrow-right. The chemical is an oil derived from vitamin E. Investigators at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the oil in cannabis products in samples collected from patients who fell ill across the United States. FDA officials shared that information with state health officials during a telephone briefing this week, ...

Can vaping cause lung problems?

State and federal health authorities have said they are focusing on the role of contaminants or counterfeit substances as a likely cause of vaping-related lung illnesses. Many patients have told officials and clinicians that they bought cannabis products off the street.

Do states have to report vaping?

Unlike certain infectious diseases, such as measles, which are required to be reported to federal authorities, states are not required to report possible cases of vaping-related illnesses to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is leading the investigation. Advertisement.

Is vitamin E acetate found in vaping?

More than 200 reports of lung illnesses are under investigation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vitamin E acetate has been found in vaping samples. Skip to main content. Search Input. Search.

Is vitamin E poisonous to the lungs?

Laura Crotty Alexander, a lung inflammation and e-cigarette researcher at the University of California at San Diego’s School of Medicine, said it’s not clear whether the chemical itself or its byproducts could be toxic. “We haven’t looked at the toxicity of vitamin E in the lungs,” she said.

What is vitamin E acetate?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Vitamin E is a vitamin found in many foods, including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement and in many cosmetic products, like skin creams.

What is an e-cigarette?

Using an e-cigarette is commonly called vaping. E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.

What is the substance in marijuana?

The liquid can contain: nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances, flavorings, and additives. THC is the psychoactive mind-altering compound of marijuana that produces the “high.”

How to contact CDC about e-cigarettes?

If you have questions about CDC’s investigation into the lung injuries associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products, contact CDC-INFO or call 1-800-232-4636.

Is vitamin E acetate linked to the eli outbreak?

Vitamin E acetate is strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak. Vitamin E acetate has been found in product samples tested by FDA and state laboratories and in patient lung fluid samples tested by CDC from geographically diverse states. Vitamin E acetate has not been found in the lung fluid of people that do not have EVALI.

When is the next vaping hospital admission?

Dates of symptom onset and hospital admission for patients with lung injury associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping — United States, March 31, 2019–February 15, 2020. Numbers do not sum to 2,807 due to missing admission dates.

When will vaping peak?

Emergency department (ED) visits related to e-cigarette, or vaping, products continue to decline, after sharply increasing in August 2019 and peaking in September.

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