On Nov. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a new study on the association between vitamin E acetate and vaping-associated lung injury.

The CDC study has found vitamin E acetate in lung specimens from 29 of 29 patients with vaping-associated lung injury. This finding provides evidence this substance is present at the primary site of injury within the lungs. Although this research strengthens the association between vitamin E acetate and lung injury, no single compound or ingredient has emerged as the definitive cause to date and there may be more than one cause of this outbreak.

In light of this new information, the Washington State Department of Health is asking all Washington vapor product processors to immediately stop adding vitamin E acetate to any vapor products and stop distributing any vapor products containing vitamin E acetate. The Department of Health also asks retailers to immediately stop selling vapor products known to contain vitamin E acetate.

The Department of Health is working with partners as we review the evidence from this report and other investigation findings to determine how best to protect the public’s health.