DHEC reports first S.C. death associated with vaping products

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The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has reported the state’s first death associated with vaping products.

The Upstate resident was 65 or older, had recently been diagnosed with e-cigarette product use associated lung injury, and reportedly had underlying health conditions, according to a news release from DHEC.

Patients diagnosed with the lung injury, known as EVALI, report symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or chest pain; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea; and/or fever, chills or weight loss.  

“We regret to report that South Carolina has suffered its first death in a person recently diagnosed with a vaping-related injury,” Virginie Daguise, DHEC Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention director, said in the release. “Our state health officials continue to work with national and local partners to further investigate this ongoing public health matter.”

South Carolina has 35 confirmed cases of EVALI, while more than 40 deaths have been reported nationwide, DHEC said.

DHEC physician Anna-Kathryn Rye Burch said a national investigation led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify Vitamin E acetate as a possible common factor in reported cases of EVALI.

“Until we know more, we recommend that everyone considers refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products,” Burch said.  

Vitamin E acetate serves as a thickening agent for the oil used in some e-cigarettes, according to the release.

More information is available online.