The Louisiana Department of Health says a patient has died of vaping-related illness, the first such death in the state. Citing medical privacy laws, officials did not say where it happened.
Officials say they urge people to recognize the dangers of vaping and to stop vaping until more is known about the specific causes of lung injuries that have been occurring in people who use vaping products. According to the health department, there are 30 cases of vaping-related illness in Louisiana. Health officials say they believe the primary exposure factor in each illness case is a combination of nicotine and THC, the chemical in marijuana that gets people high. Recreational THC products are not legal in Louisiana.
