"As of January 7, 2020, a total of 2602 cases of EVALI had been reported to the CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 57 deaths had been confirmed. All patients with EVALI have reported using vaping products. Nationally, most of these patients reported using THC-containing products, but some reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products. The median age of patients was 24 years; 62% of patients were between 18 and 34 years old, and 16% were under 18.

"The hazard to health arising from long-term vapour inhalation from the e-cigarettes available today is unlikely to exceed 5% of the harm from smoking tobacco."

"It became clear that it was not nicotine vaping that was implicated. Details were slow to emerge because the substances involved were in fact cartridges containing cannabis (primarily tetrahydrocannabinol or THC). These were often obtained on the illicit market, and in some cases being used by children. This meant users were reluctant to admit what they had vaped.

This article provides a historical and contemporary overview of e-cigarettes and vaping. The reader will gain an understanding of e-cigarette usage, risks and benefits, the current position on use of e-cigarettes in mental health settings, and tips on how to take an e-cigarette/vaping history and how to offer advice about use.

"E-cigarettes were invented by business, not medicine. But as more smokers make the switch, some health experts believe we’ve finally hit on something that could stub out smoking for good."