Alabama Running Totals

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Vape-Related Pulmonary Illnesses

As of September 25, 2019, there are 16 Alabama residents under investigation for probable cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping.
Alabama is currently not included in the national case numbers since we are in the process of investigating reports.

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html

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Vapes and E-Cigs

E-cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are experiencing rapid growth in popularity, especially among teens and young adults. They come in a variety of forms, sometimes looking like USB flash drives, pens, and other items that make them hard for parents and teachers to spot.

Vape-Related Pulmonary Illnesses

As of September 25, 2019, there are 16 Alabama residents under investigation for probable cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping.
Alabama is currently not included in the national case numbers since we are in the process of investigating reports.

ADPH is joining other state health departments in requesting health care providers to report any cases of suspected serious respiratory illness they treat among patients who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices.

• Vaping Illness Blamed for Deaths: What Parents Need to Know (al.com) (09/10/19)
• Health care providers asked to report pulmonary illnesses that may be associated with vaping (ADPH News Release) (08/23/19)

New Vape Laws

Changes in Alabama's vape laws as reflected in Act #2019-233 went into effect on August 1, 2019. The act introduces major changes for retailers who advertise and/or sell alternative nicotine products, including vape devices and liquids, in the state of Alabama. These changes are geared toward limiting marketing that targets minors, as well as limiting minors' access to alternative nicotine products.

Major changes include:

• The sale of alternative nicotine products to anyone under the age of 19 is prohibited.
• The Alcohol Beverage Control Board is responsible for the regulation of e-cigarettes and vape products.
• Advertising cannot categorize alternative nicotine products as healthy options to replace smoking.
• Billboards advertising vaping liquid are limited to the advertisement of three flavors: tobacco, mint, or menthol.
• Vape shops are required to have a tobacco permit.
• Opening vape shops within 1,000 feet of a school, church, youth center, daycare center, or public library, playground or park is prohibited.

Full text of Act #2019-233 is available online.

JUUL

JUUL Labs is the manufacturer of a line of e-cigarettes called JUUL. JUUL e-cigarettes are shaped like USB flash drives. These devices create a vapor by heating up cartridges or pods containing oils that come in a variety of flavors such as mint, mango, creme brulee, and more. In addition to flavored oils, each JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, or the equivalent of 200 cigarette puffs.

According to a recent study published in Tobacco Control, teens are 16 times more likely to use JUUL devices than older age groups.

The following resources contain more information on JUUL and similar e-cigarettes.

• E-Cigarettes Shaped Like USB Flash Drives (CDC)
• Teachers and Parents: That USB Stick Might Be an E-Cigarette (CDC)
• What is JUUL? (Truth Initiative)
• JUUL exposed: How Big Vape took a page from Big Tobacco's old playbook

Health Effects of Vapes and E-Cigs

Because e-cigarettes are still fairly new, scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of their use. It is known that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, toxic to developing fetuses, and can harm adolescent brain development. Other potential dangers include the ingestion of cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals such as tin and lead.

The following resources contain more information on the health effects of vapes and e-cigarettes:

• About E-Cigarettes (CDC)
• Notes from the Field: Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2018 (CDC)
• The Real Cost (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

FDA Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan

FDA's Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan is a series of actions to stop youth use of tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes, with special focus on three key areas:

• Preventing youth access to tobacco products
• Curbing marketing of tobacco products aimed at youth; and
• Educating teens about the dangers of using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, as well as educating retailers about their key role in protecting youth

For more information, visit the FDA Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan.

Alabama Tobacco Quitline

The Alabama Tobacco Quitline is a free telephone and online coaching service for any Alabamian who is ready to quit tobacco or e-cigarette use. Contact the Quitline for more information.

American Lung Association E-Cigarette Resources

• American Lung Association's Statement on E-Cigarettes
• The Impact of E-Cigarettes on the Lungs
• E-Cigarettes, Vapes and JUULs: What Parents Should Know
• E-Cigarettes, Vapes and JUULs: What Teens Should Know
• E-Cigarettes, Vapes and JUULs: What Schools Should Know
• Additional Resources on E-Cigarettes

 

Page last updated: September 25, 2019

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The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed the state's first death from a vaping-associated injury. The deceased is an adult male in East Alabama.

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/news/2019/10/02.html

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ADPH confirms state's first death from vaping-associated illness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jamey Durham
(334) 206-5634

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed the state's first death from a vaping-associated injury. The deceased is an adult male in East Alabama.

The death comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues its investigation of a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with vaping. The CDC is investigating more than 805 lung injury cases in 46 states and 1 U.S. territory. Twelve deaths have now been confirmed in a total of 10 states (Alabama is not included in this number).

Those seeking medical attention due to potential vaping-associated injury should immediately inform healthcare providers they used a vaping/e-cigarette product (i.e., vape pens, liquids, refill pods and cartridges). Patients have experienced symptoms that include cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, with symptoms growing worse over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most of the cases are among adolescents and young adults.

ADPH is asking persons who sought medical care for a potential vaping-related injury to contact Mr. Durham if they have any vaping/e-cigarette products that can be obtained for testing purposes.

ADPH recommends that all consumers consider refraining from the use of e-cigarettes and vape products until national and state investigations into vaping-related deaths and illnesses are complete. Two-thirds of the cases being investigated by the CDC involve patients who are 18 - 34 years old. As of October 1, there were 19 Alabama residents under investigation. Of the 19 reports, 4 cases have been identified and 9 other reports are still under investigation in Alabama; 3 have been identified as probable cases; 1 confirmed case (the deceased), of lung disease associated with vaping. National counts will be updated on Thursday.

Those who choose to continue the use of e-cigarettes and vape products should not buy these products off the street or from unregulated sources. Consumers should avoid modifying or adding any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer. Consumers with nicotine addiction who have used e-cigarettes as a method to quit smoking should not return to the use of conventional cigarettes.

ADPH has requested that health care providers report any cases of suspected serious respiratory illness they treat among patients who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said, “The use of any tobacco product is unsafe. While this current outbreak is being investigated, the safest option is to refrain from using any e-cigarette or vape product. Furthermore, there is no situation in which these devices should be used by pregnant women or youths.”

Alabama law now prohibits the sale or transfer of vaping products or electronic nicotine delivery devices to minors. Free help is available for individuals who are ready to kick the tobacco habit at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or quitnowalabama.com.

The Quitline provides individualized coaching to help any type of smoker or tobacco user, including e-cigarettes and vape, to quit. In addition, the Quitline offers up to eight weeks of free nicotine patches to those medically eligible and enrolled in the program. Quitline coaching services are available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight.

For additional information on electronic cigarettes and their health effects, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm. For more information on quitting tobacco, please visit ADPH Tobacco Prevention and Control at alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco.
 

County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health

Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.

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10/02/2019

 

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 910, Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 206-5300 | Fax: (334) 206-5520

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As of October 2, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has received 19 reports of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. Alabama information will be included in the CDC national counts updated Thursday, October 3. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case	Under Investigation
19	1*	3	6	9

*Deceased

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As of October 9, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has received 24 reports of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. Alabama information will be included in the CDC national counts updated Thursday, October 10. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case	Under Investigation
24	2*	3	13	6

*1 Deceased

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html

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Vape-Related Pulmonary Illnesses

As of October 16, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has 6 cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. The 6 cases (3 confirmed and 3 probable) will be included in the CDC national counts updated on Thursday, October 17, 2019. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case
25	3*	3	19

*1 Deceased

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html

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Vape-Related Pulmonary Illnesses

As of October 23, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has 8 cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. The 8 cases (4 confirmed and 4 probable) will be included in the CDC national counts updated on Thursday, October 24, 2019. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case	Under Investigation
30	4*	4	21	1

*1 Deceased

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html

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As of October 30, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has 9 cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. The 9 cases (5 confirmed and 4 probable) will be included in the CDC national counts updated on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case
31	5*	4	22

*1 Deceased

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html

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Vape-Related Pulmonary Illnesses

As of November 13, 2019, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has 10 cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. Please see the breakdown of current cases in Alabama below:

 

Total Reports	Confirmed	Probable	Not a Case
33	5*	5	23

*1 Deceased

http://alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/ecigs.html