State Expands Vape Ban to Include Products Containing Vitamin E Acetate

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The Washington State Board of Health on Monday expanded its emergency rule on vapor products — which banned flavored vaping products — to also include a prohibition on the sale of vapor products containing vitamin E acetate. 

The Centers for Disease Control on Nov. 14 identified vitamin E acetate as a “chemical of concern” associated with lung injuries in e-cigarette or vapor users. 

The CDC reported that fluid collected from the lungs of 29 people with vaping-related lung injuries all showed the presence of vitamin E acetate, which is a thickening agent in THC-containing vapor products. 

“We are deeply concerned by a new study finding vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury in patients’ lungs,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman in a statement. “While we still need more research to identify a definitive cause, the evidence we have linking vitamin E acetate to the outbreak demands immediate action to protect the public’s health. Furthermore, we are very aware there may be more than one cause for these lung injuries associated with vaping.”



The new section of the emergency rule will remain in effect for 120 days. The earlier portion of the rule is set to expire on Feb. 7. 

“Today’s action by the Board of Health to remove vitamin E acetate from the vapor product market in Washington is based on the most current information from the national investigation into severe lung injury associated with vapor products,” said Keith Grellner, chair of the State Board of Health. “The Board knows this investigation is ongoing; as such, we will be monitoring the investigation daily and will be prepared to take further action as we learn more.”