Ban of Vitamin E. Acetate Found in THC Overwhelmingly Passes in the House

By ASHLEY A. ATTISHA, ESQ

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Feb. 20 the fourth death associated with the outbreak of E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury. 

Vitamin E acetate, which can be purchased legally, is safely consumed in food and applied to the skin in cosmetic products. When it comes to vaping, Vitamin E acetate can be used as a filler added to THC vaping cartridges—it’s primarily used to dilute potency. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified vitamin E acetate as strongly associated with vaping-related lung injury. Vitamin E acetate “may interfere with normal lung functioning,” according to the CDC. 

Michigan state Reps. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn), Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park) and Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe), sponsored a trio of bills: HB 5159, HB 5160 and HB 5161, which passed in the Michigan House in early February. Lawmakers approved three bills that would ban the processing and sale of any marijuana or tobacco products that contains vitamin E acetate, making it a misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $10,000. The legislation passed with a wide majority, clearing the House chamber in 102-2 votes. The bill has moved to the Senate. 

This legislation is a great first step to address health risks posed for youth and adults inhaling products which contain vitamin E acetate. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following: 

E-cigarette and/or vaping products should never be used by youth, young adults or women who are pregnant.

Vitamin E acetate should not be added to e-cigarette or vaping products. Additionally, people should not add any other substances not intended by the manufacturer to products, including products purchased through retail establishments.

While it appears that vitamin E acetate is associated with many of the lung injury cases, there are many different substances and product sources being investigated, and there may be more than one cause. Therefore, the best way for people to ensure that they are not at risk while the investigation continues is to consider refraining from the use of all e-cigarette and vaping products.  

Adults who continue to use an e-cigarette and vaping products should carefully monitor themselves for symptoms, such as such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or nausea and vomiting, and see a healthcare provider immediately if they develop symptoms like those reported in this outbreak. 

If you or a loved one is seeking assistance to quit tobacco use and vaping please call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline 1-800-784-8669. Teenagers can text “Start My Quit” to 855-891-9989 or visit www.mylifemyquit.com for resources to quit vaping.