First Massachusetts Vape-Related Death Confirmed

NORTHAMPTON, MA — A Hampshire County woman died from a lung injury caused by vaping, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is the first confirmed vape-related death in the state.

State officials have not released the woman's identity, only saying she was in her 60s. She was among the 121 suspected cases vape-related pulmonary illness reported to the department since Sept. 11.

Of the 121 suspected reports, nine cases have been confirmed and 10 are probable for meeting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's definition of vaping-associated lung injury. Thirty-nine of the reports have since been ruled to not have to do with vaping. About half of those confirmed cases were reported to the centers last week.

"The number of confirmed and probable cases of vaping-associated lung injury we're seeing continues to escalate and today I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of a patient who had this illness,” said health commisioner Monica Bharel said. "We are investigating these cases as quickly as possible and working with our federal partners to better understand this outbreak."

As of Oct. 1, 1,080 lung illness cases associated with using vaping products have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 48 states and one U.S. territory. Eighteen deaths have been confirmed in 15 states, not including the Massachusetts death reported Monday. Health officials said all patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette or vaping products. No single product has been linked to the ilnesses.

With the number of suspect cases rising statewide and nationally, Governor Charlie Baker declared a public health emergency and instituted a four-month statewide ban on sales of all vaping products in Massachusetts. The sales ban applies to all vaping devices and products, including tobacco and marijuana.