EVALI - the e-cigarette illness and other dangers of e-cigarette usage

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.

As of 2019, around one in four high schoolers reported they'd recently used an e-cigarette — in 2016, that number was one in 10.

This massive jump in e-cigarette use has led the Food and Drug Administration to classify vaping as an "epidemic," with more than 5 million teens reportedly using e-cigarettes, which far surpasses regular cigarette use.

"Companies like Juul are using strategies similar to those that big tobacco has in the past, marketing their products specifically to a younger generation and putting over $1 million into social media campaigns," said Whitley Butcher, a partner at Whitley Law Firm who primarily handles cases in the firm's dangerous drug and defective medical device practices. "By coining terminology like 'Juul-ing,' the company is positioning their product to be trendy and exclusive, appealing almost largely to teenagers and young adults. Even the flavors they offer — like mango and bubblegum — are geared toward a younger crowd. "

While e-cigarettes surged in popularity soon after their release, the health risks weren't fully understood until a few years later. Now, experts have been able to link vaping with lung problems, respiratory failure, nicotine poisoning and addiction. Additionally, these issues don't just disappear once an individual has given up vaping — the vapor is also linked to chronic lung diseases and asthma, and may play a part in developing cardiovascular diseases.

The CDC has even given a name to one of these newly identified lung diseases caused by vaping: EVALI, or E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury.

First recognized in 2019, EVALI specifically refers to the severe and sometimes fatal lung damage exhibited in individuals who use e-cigarettes. As of December 2019, there were just under 2,500 cases reported to the CDC, seven of which have knowingly led to death. The average age of those suffering from EVALI is 24 years old, and four out of five people affected are younger 35.

While the exact ingredient that causes EVALI has yet to be determined, the CDC and FDA has recommended that consumers should avoid e-cigarettes that contain THC, which has been a common denominator in many cases where EVALI has developed. Additionally, medical professionals are still working to determine what the long-term effects of the condition may be, but recommend learning what the early symptoms of EVALI might be, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest tightness
• Diarrhea
• Belly pain

While one of the more severe effects of vaping, EVALI is far from the only concern. For young people in particular, the use of e-cigarettes is uniquely harmful.

The part of the brain that plays a key role in decision making and impulse control is still developing during adolescence. Not only does this mean that young people can get addicted more easily, but also the presence of a drug like nicotine can alter brain functions, leading to long-term developmental harm.

Aside from health problems, vapes have also been known to malfunction, leading to dangerous and powerful explosions. Although often classified as "freak accidents," between 2015 and 2017 there were more than 2,000 injuries and burns due to malfunctioning e-cigarettes.

In two cases, the shrapnel and projectiles produced by the explosion led to the death of the users. Other users have been treated for shattered jaws, missing teeth, and blindness.

"When an e-cigarette company like Juul sells these defective products and consumers are hurt, they risk liability," Butcher said. "Not only that, but deceptive marketing — such as Juul's claim to provide a 'safer' smoking experience without properly explaining the risks — could constitute a civil suit."

To win a case like this, a plaintiff would need to prove the e-cigarette was the cause of injury or death, which can be done through medical records — especially if the user is suffering from EVALI. As of 2019, there were more than 330 lawsuits against Juul in the United States alone, with injures listed including:

• Severe addiction
• Pregnancy complications/birth defects
• Heart attack/heart problems
• Nicotine poisoning
• Lung/respiratory failure
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

"Currently, Whitley Law Firm has already filed lawsuits on behalf of young people affected by vaping, but many people may not know that they could be entitled to compensation," Butcher said. "If you or a loved one have been injured by or become addicted to e-cigarettes, you could very well have a legitimate claim and should seek out legal counsel immediately."

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.