Vaping raises serious health concerns

CMU College of Medicine and CMU Health officials reviewed information for this article.

Coughing. Chest pain. Shortness of breath.

These are some of the symptoms of a serious lung disease outbreak that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links to vaping. The CDC says e-cigarette products currently are responsible for hundreds of illnesses and several deaths.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered a ban on the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products in Michigan over health concerns, and the federal government has announced plans to follow suit.

E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, also are known as vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). They work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.

Central Michigan University specifically prohibits all e-cigarette use on campus and in CMU facilities and vehicles.

If you have questions about recent developments, here are some answers:

What does the CDC say?

• The CDC recommends that youths, young adults and pregnant women should not use e-cigarettes or vaping products and that adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarettes.
• If you use e-cigarette products, don't buy them off the street (for example, e-cigarette products with THC or other cannabinoids).
• Do not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
• Report any unexpected health or product issues related to e-cigarette products through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's online Safety Reporting Portal.

What are the lung disease symptoms?

• If you have recently used an e-cigarette or vaping product and have symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever and weight loss, see a health care provider.

Where can I find help?

• If you need help quitting e-cigarettes, contact your doctor or other medical provider.
• CMU students can visit Student Health Services in Foust Hall, and faculty and staff can consult CMU Health providers at its Primary and Specialty Clinic on Three Leaves Drive.
• If you have an immediate concern about your health after using an e-cigarette product, the CDC recommends calling your health care provider or poison control at (800) 222-1222.

Where can I learn more?

• For more about e-cigarette products and health effects, check the CDC's informational website.
• Members of the CMU community with further questions may contact CMU Health Education at 989-774-4446.