Vapes and their unknown mixture of chemicals and vitamins have been causing much turmoil over the past couple of months. Experts say that this is becoming an epidemic and has claimed more than 200 victims in total. The majority of these patients range from their late teens to their twenties. Common side effects of the illness are fever, fatigue, vomiting, and shortness of breath. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are trying to figure out if any harmful toxins or substances have found their way into the vape cartridges and are telling teens to “stop buying bootleg and street cannabis and e-cigarette problems.” 

The injuries are being overlooked because of the media coverage about the teen use in vapes and not specifically the harmful effects of it. The FDA found the root of the problem because they had not changed what was allowed to go into the products, so this means that they’re being made by someone not qualified to make them. The problem is largely with the THC vape products and the chemicals used to enhance the flavors. 

This puts the large manufacturers of e-cigarettes and legal marijuana in the spotlight. They are quick to blame illegal manufacturers ensuring that their products are safe. They claim to be safer than cigarettes, but they have not been around long enough to truly evaluate their long term effects. There are oils inside of these vapes that are not being completely broken down resulting in them being ingested into the users lungs. The effects of vaping are harming people nationwide, and the causes are starting to become clear to the eyes of experts.