The first vaping death in Los Angeles County has been confirmed, as the health department issues a warning on e-cigarettes, officials said Friday. 

The death was an “older adult,” over the age of 55, who had chronic underlying health issues, but vaping was the probable cause of death, said County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis in a press conference. 

Since Aug. 14, 12 cases of vaping-associated pulmonary injury have been reported in the county to date, though this is the first death confirmed to have been caused by the condition, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the 12 confirmed cases, 11 of the users reported also consuming THC vaping products, according to County health officials. 

“It’s crossing the gambit of age,” Davis noted. He stated that of the cases in LA County, two-thirds are teens and young adults, contrary to usual disease trends.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital officials have confirmed several individuals have been admitted to the emergency room for vaping-related illnesses.

“We’ve admitted a couple of people for illnesses related to vaping,” said Dr. Darrin Privett, with the hospital’s emergency room.

Privett noted one case of a young female who developed chemical pneumonia due to vaping.

The ER doctor recommended those who do not use nicotine products to not start with e-cigarettes, especially young people. Those looking to quit smoking should try other means of cessation such as nicotine gum and patches.

See Related: Vaping Increases Among LA County High Schoolers, Officials Say

“Smoking causes harm to almost every organ in the body,” Privett said. “It is the leading cause of preventable death in the US.”

E-cigarettes attract younger users due to the notion that vaping is safer than smoking tobacco, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 

“These products have set us back years in our struggle in our battle of young people of using nicotine,” Ferrer said. 

Health officials nationwide have warned the public against continuing use of e-cigarettes, with CDC officials stating that they are currently aware of at least 450 possible cases of severe lung disease in 33 states that could be caused by vaping. 

Even more cases are currently under investigation, according to the CDC.

“Nicotine use really detracts from a person using healthy coping skills,” said Bob Sharits, program director for The Way Out Recovery SCV, in a previous story. “They are learning to run to a drug to soothe themselves. It teaches teenagers to seek a quick fix for their stressors.”

.@CDCgov believes that a chemical exposure is likely associated with pulmonary disease among people who use #ecigarettes. However, more information is needed to determine which specific products or substances are involved. #vaping

— Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) September 6, 2019

No evidence of infectious diseases has been identified in those suspected to have been killed by e-cigarettes, and therefore their lung illnesses were likely due to chemical exposure, according to the initial results of a study released by the CDC on Friday. 

To share the potential dangers of vaping with the local community, the City of Santa Clarita is hosting an informational event, “Head in the Clouds: The Truth About Vaping,” open to both parents and teens.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Century Room at Santa Clarita City Hall.

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