Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today requested a joint briefing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their response to the growing number of pulmonary illnesses related to e-cigarette use and a death recently reported in Illinois. To date, 193 potential cases in 22 states have been reported to CDC between June 28 and August 20 of this year:
“I am deeply concerned by the increasing number of severe lung illnesses associated with e-cigarette use that have been reported in the past two months. It is particularly alarming that these serious illnesses are affecting many teens and young adults given the epidemic level of e-cigarette use among young people.
“Today, I requested a briefing from CDC and FDA on the status of their investigations into these illnesses, coordination with state and local health officials, and their strategy to protect the public health and the well-being of our nation’s young people. More information is needed to better understand the link between e-cigarette use and these life-threatening illnesses, the long-term health impacts of these products, and what manufacturers are doing in response to these illnesses, particularly following the first known death from vaping-related lung illness in Illinois. The Committee will continue to investigate this growing crisis."
The Chairman’s request today follows the launch last week of a Committee investigation into e-cigarette manufacturers.
