What is an e-cigarette?

• Electronic cigarettes – or e-cigarettes – work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.
• The liquid can contain: nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances, flavorings, and additives.
• E-cigarettes are also called vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, tank systems, mods, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

What is vaping?

• Using an e-cigarette is commonly called vaping.
• Vaping can refer to using e-cigarettes to inhale many substances, including nicotine, and THC or CBD oils.

What is causing this outbreak of lung injury?

• At this time, FDA and CDC have not identified the cause or causes of the lung injuries among EVALI cases, and the only commonality among all cases is that patients report the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. No single compound or ingredient has emerged as the cause of these injuries to date, and there might be more than one cause. Available data suggest THC-containing products play a role in this outbreak, but the specific chemical or chemicals responsible for lung injury have not yet been identified, and nicotine-containing products have not been excluded as a possible cause.
• The outbreak is occurring in the context of a dynamic marketplace for e-cigarette or vaping products, which may have a mix of ingredients, complex packaging and supply chains, and include potentially illicit substances. Users may not know what is in their e-cigarette or e-liquid solutions. Many of the products and substances can be modified by suppliers or users. They can be obtained from stores, online retailers, from informal sources (e.g. friends, family members), or “off the street.”
• More information is needed to know whether one or more e-cigarette or vaping products, substances, or brand is responsible for the outbreak.

What should I do if I have used e-cigarettes and have symptoms?

• See a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.
• You can also call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
• You can also submit a detailed report of any unexpected health or product issues related to tobacco or e-cigarette products to the FDA via the online Safety Reporting Portalexternal icon.

What if I’m an adult who quit cigarette smoking and now uses e-cigarettes?

• If you are an adult who uses e-cigarettes because you have quit cigarette smoking, do not return to smoking cigarettes; use evidence-based treatments, including healthcare provider counseling and FDA approved medications.
• If you continue to use e-cigarettes, carefully monitor yourself for symptoms and see a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.

What is marijuana (THC)?

• Marijuana, which can also be called weed, pot, dope, or cannabis, is the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant.
• Marijuana contains mind-altering (e.g., psychoactive) compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as well as other active compounds like cannabidiol, or CBD, that are not mind-altering.
• For more information visit the CDC web page Marijuana and Public Health

What are the health risks of marijuana (THC)?

• Marijuana use has been associated with a wide range of health effects, particularly with prolonged heavy use.
• These effects range from short-term problems with attention, memory, learning, to longer-term problems such as psychosis, anxiety, suicidal ideation and attempts, depression, and substance use disorder. It is not known whether these are causal relationships or simply associations.
• The best way to avoid potentially harmful effects is to not use marijuana.

How does marijuana use during adolescence affect youth?

• Marijuana use, including in e-cigarettes or through vaping, is associated with a broad range of health effects. Marijuana use can harm the developing adolescent brain and impact attention, learning, and memory. Starting to use marijuana at a younger age increases the likelihood of frequent and problematic use later in life.
• Youth marijuana use has also been associated with antisocial and oppositional behaviors, nicotine use, poor school performance, use of other illicit substances and the development of substance use disorders, and impairments in social relationships. See the recent Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brainexternal icon.
• Regardless of the substance used, e-cigarette or vaping products should never be used by youth or pregnant women. It is important for parents to communicate with their child about the risks of nicotine, THC, or other substance use. CDC offers a Talk With Your Teen About E-cigarettespdf iconexternal icon tip sheet to help parents talk with their children about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them.