TDSHS has confirmed 13 cases in Texas. Among those cases reported, 3 have been in Health Region 8, which includes Maverick County.

At the federal level, Government officials continue monitoring the situation which has been linkedto hundreds of cases reporting illnesses from the use of the product and approximately 8 deaths in recent months.

Vaping is the use of an electronic device (electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, vaporizer, vape[s], vape pen, dab pen, or other device) to inhale substances (nicotine, marijuana, THC, THC concentrations, CBD, synthetic

cannabinoids, flavorings, or other substances).

E-cigarettes have been for sale in the United States since 2007.

More than 928,000 Texas adults, 4.7% of the adult population, reported current e-cigarette use in 2017.

Younger adults, 18-29 years of age, were more likely to use cigarettes compared with adults 45 years of age and older.

In 2018, over 330,000 middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use.

This represents 13% of all Texas students.

E-cigarette use was three times as prevalent among high school students (18.9%) as middle school students (66).

Overall, use of e-cigarettes among our youth has more than quadrupled from 3% in 2012 to 13% in 2018.

Locally, the issue has become concerning as our local School District has been bringing awareness to the problem.

The City of Eagle Pass has had a ban on the use of E-Cigarettes in public places for the past year.

For now the State and Federal Government are continuing to monitor the situation to take action if required.