Danish Health Minister Raises E-Cig Alarm Following US Lung Disease Cases

Following the ongoing issue of vape-related lung disease outbreak in the US, Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke, requests an expert review on e-cigarettes.

One of the latest accusations faced by the vaping industry is the outbreak of a severe lung disease in the US, which is being attributed to e-cig use. Until now there have been over 400 reported cases, five of which have sadly resulted in a death.

In response to these reports, Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke has announced that he wants an official review on e-cigarettes. “Concerning developments in the USA, I’ve tonight asked Sundhedsstyrelsen [the Danish health authority] to review professional knowledge about e-cigarettes – particularly focusing on negative effects among young people,” wrote the health minister on Twitter last week.

Heunicke added that he wants Sundhedsstyrelsen to monitor the situation in the US, including which initiatives the US government will embrace. Most of the cases are occurring amongst youth or young adults, and the acute disease appears to be lipoid pnemonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and/or chemical pneumonitis. All hospitalized individuals have allegedly reported using e-cigarettes and physicians, health departments, and the CDC alike, had until last week been urging the public to stop vaping.

However after weeks of such warnings, recent reports have mainly led to the use of unlicensed products. To this effect, the CDC, FDA, and HHS, are finally advising consumers to refrain from purchasing e-liquids off the street where they are untested, unregulated and therefore possibly unsafe.