US deaths stoke Australian calls to limit vaping

After six confirmed vaping deaths in the US, Australian health authorities have called for a crackdown on the e-cigarettes, warning the deaths are “just the tip of the iceberg”.

Australian health authorities have called for a crackdown on vaping as evidence mounts the habit can lead to serious health problems and even death.

There have been six confirmed vaping deaths in the United States and another 450 cases of serious lung illness potentially linked to e-cigarettes.

Quit Victoria director Sarah White said vaping was now the subject of intense scrutiny in the US, with calls from medical experts for people to stay away from e-cigarettes.

Vaping is now the subject of intense scrutiny in the US. Picture: AP

“What these deaths and likely long-term health implications tell me is that heating and inhaling the ‘wrong’ chemical cocktail can be disastrous,” Dr White said.

“Even if the cocktail in an e-cigarette doesn’t contain something that causes an immediate health issue, our lungs are simply not designed to be bathed in an aerosol containing unknown chemicals.”

Australian Medical Association vice-president Chris Zappala told the Sunday Herald Sun the recent vaping deaths and illnesses in the US were “just the tip of the iceberg”.

“Our view is that e-cigarettes and vaping should be banned because there is a whole range of products being inhaled which are potentially dangerous,” Dr Zappala said.

Australian Medical Association vice-president Chris Zappala. Picture: Peter Wallis

“We know vaping has negative effects on airways function and people are having respiratory difficulties — even death — related to vaping.”

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Dr White said the Cancer Council wanted to see all e-cigarette devices and liquids approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration before they were made available for sale, at the very least.

The TGA is part of the Australian Government Department of Health and responsible for regulating therapeutic goods including medical devices.

Vaping proponents say e-cigarettes are less dangerous to health than traditional cigarettes and are used successfully by many people as a medical device to stop smoking.