OHIO launches health alerts page with vaping information

Ohio University has launched a new health alerts page to educate students, faculty and staff about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarette usage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking an outbreak of lung injuries associated with vaping, with more than 1,600 cases reported as of October 2019. This includes cases from 49 states, and includes 34 deaths as of the middle of October 2019. In Ohio, 21 cases of severe pulmonary illness had been reported from 13 counties.

No cases have been reported in Athens County to date. However, the Ohio Department of Health and Gov. Mike DeWine have asked institutions of higher education to share information about vaping, as well as resources to help people stop the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine.

The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that there has been a surge in the use of e-cigarette usage in children and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can harm the developing brain, which continues to develop until about age 25.

While the specific causes of the national outbreak have not yet been identified, vaping has been the common denominator, with most of the cases linked to devices that have THC in them or are sold on the street. Until the specifics are determined, however, the CDC and the Surgeon General recommend that people avoid the use of all e-cigarette and vaping products.

Smoking or the use of tobacco products is prohibited at all times at Ohio University. In accordance with recommendations from the Ohio Board of Regents, Ohio University supports a smoke and tobacco-free campus as a wellness initiative to protect students, faculty, staff and guests. Additional information on the smoke and tobacco-free policy can be found on this webpage.

For more information about vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, as well as other health alerts, visit OHIO’s health alerts page.