Teen Vaping, Safety Town Hall This Sunday Hosted By State Reps.

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Days after a second person has died from a vaping-related illness in Georgia, local representatives are hosting a town hall to discuss the matter.

State Reps. Angelika Kausche (D-Johns Creek) and Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) will co-host a town hall meeting on public safety and teen vaping on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Autry Falls Clubhouse, 9825 Autry Falls Drive in Johns Creek.

At the meeting, local officials and area experts will be in attendance, including the Johns Creek Police Department; Linda McCain, Fulton County Board of Education, District 5; and representatives from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.

Kausche and McLaurin will also discuss their legislative priorities for the upcoming 2020 legislative session.

On Wednesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a public health advisory on the risks of vaping and use of e-cigarettes.

"The safety of Georgians is my top priority," Kemp said. "I applaud the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Georgia Department of Public Health for their tireless work to conduct research and inform the public about this serious issue. This public health advisory will notify Georgians of the potential hazards associated with adolescent vaping and encourage youth to take proactive steps to safeguard their health and well-being. We are asking convenience stores, vape shops, and leaders in communities throughout Georgia to join us in raising awareness."

DPH has identified 14 cases of vaping-associated illness in Georgia, including two deaths. Other possible cases are being reviewed. All patients were hospitalized and developed pneumonia with no known infectious cause, the department said. Cases range in age from 18 to 68 years (median age 26 years), 78 percent are male.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with states to investigate more than 1,000 cases of vaping-associated illness and at least 18 deaths, the DPH said. No specific e-cigarette device or substance has been linked to all cases. Most patients have reported a history of using vaping products containing THC. Many patients have reported using THC and nicotine. Some have reported the use of e-cigarette products containing only nicotine.

Without knowing the specific cause of the vaping-associated illness, health officials said discontinuing use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices is the best prevention against becoming ill.