First case of probable vaping-related illness confirmed in BC

The first case of probable vaping-related illness has been announced in British Columbia.

Dr Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, said there are also several other investigations under way that could confirm more illnesses are due to e-cigarette smoking.

"These are the first cases of vaping-related illness in BC, but we fully expect there will be more as this is quickly emerging as a significant public health issue," Dr Henry said.

"Vaping is turning back the clock on decades of effective anti-smoking efforts and creating a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine."

On Sept. 19, Henry issued a notice requiring the province’s doctors to register incidences of patients who:

• report using e-cigarette devices, related products or other means of inhaling a variety of products in the 90 days before symptom onset

• have pulmonary infiltrates on X-ray imaging

• are ill but whose illness cannot be attributed to other causes

All reports of potential vaping-related illness will be sent to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Details about patients will not be revealed, the province said.