(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the announcement made today by the Connecticut Department of Public Health that a person with a vaping-related lung injury in Connecticut has died. This is the first known death in the state of a person with a vaping-related illness.
“As a growing wave of vaping-related illnesses is becoming more prevalent across the country, I was saddened to learn today that tragedy has struck here at home,” Governor Lamont said. “I cannot stress enough that people should just avoid these products completely, and most especially avoid products that were purchased off the street or have been modified in any way. Very little is known in the medical community at this time about the long-term effects of vaping. Working with public health experts – and in collaboration with our neighboring states – we are in the process of developing a comprehensive, effective response to what is becoming a growing public health crisis. But I cannot stress enough – the best thing for people to do is just avoid e-cigarettes and vaping products altogether.”
The governor is working with officials from several state agencies that have cognizance over these issues – including the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – to ensure that all state laws regarding e-cigarettes and vaping are being strictly enforced.
In addition, on Friday, October 4, officials from the Lamont administration will be in contact with their counterparts from Connecticut’s neighboring states to continue discussions on further actions that can be taken to address this growing public health concern.