News Releases from Department of Health

With the ongoing nationwide outbreak of lung injury associated with use the use of e-cigarette, or vaping products, the health department issued an advisory for the state warning the public to stop vaping. With more than 1,300 injury cases reported and 26 deaths confirmed, people should stop vaping until the cause of these lung illnesses is determined.

“Parents are advised to talk with their children about the dangers of vaping, and physicians are reminded to ask their patients with symptoms of lung illness or injury about their use of e-cigarettes or their history of vaping and report cases to the Department of Health for investigation,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson.

The advisory outlines DOH’s key recommendations to the public including:

• Do not use e-cigarettes or vaping devices of any kind. If you don’t use vaping devices, don’t start. If you are using a vaping device, stop.
• If you choose to continue using vaping devices, do not use off-market products.
• Pregnant women should not use e-cigarettes and vaping products of any kind at any time during pregnancy.
• Children and youth should never use e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
• If you have recently used a vaping device and are experiencing symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or abdominal pain, see a healthcare provider.  
• If you are an adult using vaping devices to kick a cigarette habit, do not return to smoking cigarettes.

Anyone who currently uses e-cigarettes or has done so in the past and is experiencing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or abdominal pain, should see their healthcare provider or call the Hawai‘i Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. 

For anyone trying to quit vaping or smoking, talk with a healthcare provider or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-7848-669) for a free and confidential call. 

DOH’s health advisory on vaping and other helpful resources can be found at https://health.hawaii.gov/about/current-advisories-warnings/.