Utah’s vaping-related illnesses continue to increase

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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s confirmed cases of vaping-related illness have increased by five since last week, health officials said.

As of Monday, 76 cases of vaping-related lung disease have been reported in Utah, and 14 more cases are under investigation, according to the Utah Department of Health.

“Given the evidence, vaping unregulated THC cartridges, or ‘carts,’ is likely the driver of this outbreak of severe lung injury. The (Utah Department of Health) recommends people do not vape unregulated THC cartridges until we learn more,” department officials said in a statement.

In response to the rash of illnesses nationwide, the health department last week filed an emergency administrative rule aimed at stemming vaping-related illnesses. Vape stores and other retailers that sell vaping products will be required to post a notice warning consumers about potential lung injuries related to electronic cigarette use. The rule also restricts the sale of flavored e-cigarette products to retail tobacco specialty businesses.

Given the evidence, vaping unregulated THC cartridges, or ‘carts,’ is likely the driver of this outbreak of severe lung injury. The (Utah Department of Health) recommends people do not vape unregulated THC cartridges until we learn more.

–statement from Utah Department of Health officials

The rule was originally supposed to go into effect Monday. But on Thursday, the department announced it would delay enforcement until Oct. 21 to give retailers additional time to comply by removing flavored e-cigarette products from their shelves. The restrictions will remain in place for 120 days.

Flavor bans and other forms of prohibition are also in the works in Utah and across the nation, particularly to restrict access to teens, whose use rates have skyrocketed.