New York, Connecticut Join Forces In Vaping Illness Crisis

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — New York and Connecticut are teaming up to develop similar policies on e-cigarettes and marijuana legalization as a mysterious vaping-related illness sickens hundreds nationwide.

Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Ned Lamont, both Democrats, on Wednesday announced they would join forces in creating policies that would deter residents from crossing state borders to circumvent laws. On Oct. 17, law enforcement and health officials will join policymakers in both states at a summit to draft guidelines and principles for the two states that will govern vaping and cannabis.

Cuomo said New York is "serious" when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana use, but emphasized it has to be done properly.

"At the same time the federal government has refused to step up during this vaping crisis, so it is up to the states to develop policies that will help keep people safe," he said in a news release.

Cuomo said the plan is to come up with ideas to prevent people from driving to neighboring states to buy cheaper or similar products outlawed in their own state.

Lamont said Connecticut and New York share borders, economic interests, public health priorities, and a "joint understanding" that more collaboration on such issues will result in better policy results.

"Every day thousands of New Yorkers travel over the border to work in Connecticut, and thousands of Connecticut commuters rely on New York for their livelihood," he said. "To that end, it's common sense for our states to be aligned in numerous policy areas."

Officials will key in on traffic flow between the neighboring states when it comes to vaping laws and marijuana legalization, as consumers are expected to bring products across state lines. The summit next month will look closely at factors that influence state policies on the products.

See also: Cuomo On Jay Oliver Show: Vaping A 'Public Health Crisis' (AUDIO)

For recreational pot use, this includes taxation, safety and testing, availability and advertising, roadside testing, and banking and financial services, as well as social justice and equity considerations.

For vaping, the summit will focus on identifying ways for the two states to complement each other, including imminent under-21 restrictions on selling vaping products and banning flavored vaping products in Connecticut. The states will also try to develop a strong regional policy aimed squarely at curbing the sale of unregulated market vaping products and upping the penalties for vendors that endanger consumers across state lines.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said it was investigating 530 cases of vaping-related lung injuries spanning 38 states and one U.S. territory. Seven people have died.

New York has reports of 81 confirmed cases — up from 64 the previous week, health officials said.

Nationally, all reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping, and most patients indicated they'd used products containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Many also reported using THC and nicotine.

While the CDC said it does not yet know the specific cause of the lung injuries and the investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product or substance linked to all cases.

However, New York health officials have homed in on vitamin E acetate oil. High levels of the substance were found in nearly all cannabis-containing samples, state health officials said.

Vitamin E acetate is not an approved additive for vape products authorized by the state's medical marijuana program, and it was not found in the nicotine-based products.

Cuomo previously ordered the state Department of Health to subpoena three out-of-state companies that market and sell so-called "thickening agents" used in black market vaping products. The thickeners are marketed and readily available on the internet as a cheap, safe alternative that won't adversely affect flavor or smell of existing products. They're also billed as being able to cut vape products to any level of THC.