NEW: 5th Person Dies of Vaping-Related Lung Injuries in MA

NEW: 5th Person Dies of Vaping-Related Lung Injuries in MA

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a fifth person has died of a vaping-related lung injury.

According to DPH, the victim was a man in his 40s from Suffolk County, who vaped tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

“My condolences go out to the family of this patient who has died from a vaping-associated lung injury. This tragedy reminds us of the dangers of vaping and the reasons we strengthened our laws regarding vaping products,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

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Back in January, the DPH reported the death of a man in his 70s from Middlesex County.

Prior to that, DPH reported the death of a Worcester resident in November and another Middlesex County resident in October.

Vaping in MA

Since the state began mandating the report, 127 cases have been identified, with 46 confirmed cases and 81 probable cases reported to the CDC.

Of the 127 Massachusetts confirmed or probable cases that have been reported to the CDC, 65 are male and 62 are female, while 56 percent are under the age of 30.

Thiry-five percent vaped only nicotine, 34 percent vaped only THC, and 24 percent reported vaping nicotine and THC.