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We are living in a Juul epidemic: Why you should put the vape down bro

You either Juul, know someone who Juuls or have seen a mysterious cloud of that nicotine pixie dust spewing from someone’s mouth — either way, everyone is familiar with the newest e-cigarette sensation.

Except now, it’s time to put the Juul down.

We are living in a Juul epidemic. More than 450 possible cases of lung illness associated with using e-cigarettes were reported to the CDC across 33 states and the US Virgin Islands last Friday.

Adding on to the vaping conundrum, the sixth death from lung disease related to vaping was reported in Kansas this Tuesday. Now, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked anyone who uses a vape to stop while they investigate.

Known as Juul Labs, the small, compact, easy-to-use vape that was supposed to replace cigarettes altogether, comes in a variety of colors and leaves virtually no scent. It’s to no wonder Juul represents 76 percent of total revenue in 2018.

Now the convenient stress reliever is taking lives.

https://twitter.com/karbkween/status/1171095464600637440

The alarming new studies have been making their rounds. Along with the CDC, the American Lung Association has also come out to urge e-cig smokers to quit and Monday, the Food and Drug Administration accused the e-cigarette juggernaut of illegally marketing its merchandise as “unauthorized modified risk tobacco products.”

“Regardless of where products like e-cigarettes fall on the continuum of tobacco product risk, the law is clear that, before marketing tobacco products for reduced risk, companies must demonstrate with scientific evidence that their specific product does, in fact, pose less risk or is less harmful,” acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless said in a statement Monday.

“JUUL has ignored the law, and very concerningly, has made some of these statements in school to our nation’s youth.”

Even President Trump showed action, calling a ban on all flavored e-cigarette pods, banning all flavored carts.

“We may very well have to do something very, very strong about it,” Trump, flanked by Azar and Acting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Ned Sharpless, told reporters in the White House Oval Office.

A lot of Juul users turned to the e-cig in hopes of quitting cigarettes but now they’re forced to nicotine-quitting recommendations that have helped people stop using cigarettes in the past and are struggling badly.

The epidemic affects both marijuana and tobacco users. The vaping process turns liquid into a gas by heating up the oils but some oil droplets may be leftover as the liquid cools back down, and inhaling those drops may cause breathing problems and lung inflammation.

The life-threatening mysterious illness is causing patients in their late teens and 20s rushing up the hospital with severe shortness of breath, often after suffering for several days with vomiting, fever, and fatigue.

Health officials are uncertain these are new batches of vapes where a particular toxin or substance has sneaked into the supply, people reusing cartridges containing contaminants or a combination of drugs.

What they do know is that you should stop smoking them until further notice.

The National Cancer Institute has an online resource available for teens. They also have more information about e-cigarettes for adults.