Donald Trump wants to raise minimum age for vaping from 18 to 21

Recent government figures on vaping illnesses have forced US President Donald Trump to reconsider the minimum age limit for purchases of e-cigarettes. Trump said he wanted to raise the minimum age limit from 18 to 21 but was also concerned about its impact on the businesses. 

Trump Administration to take care of the vaping industry

Signalling a policy announcement next week, Trump said the administration will be coming out a with a “very important” position on vaping. The administration is contemplating to have an age limit of 21 but they are also looking at its impact on jobs. Trump added that e-cigarettes have become a big industry and they are going to take care of it. It is still not clear how the Trump Administration will assuage the fears of the vaping industry.

Read: Health Officials: Data Shows ‘alarming’ Rise In Youth Vaping

State-wise data on deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on November 7, released the number of confirmed and probable lung injury cases and deaths associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. CDC said that 2,051 confirmed and probable lung injury cases have been reported from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Among all the 2,051 cases, the CDC said that 39 deaths were confirmed in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Alabama, California (3), Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia (3), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee (2), Texas, Utah, and Virginia were the states that reported deaths due to e-cigarettes. The median age of deceased patients was 53 years and ranged from 17 to 75 years.

Read: Donald Trump, Wife Melania Tell Teen Son Barron Trump To Not Vape

Downward trend reported

Dr Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, said that there has been a downward trend in the cases but some states are still hard hit. “CDC’s goal and priority is to stop this outbreak and to provide the American public with data-driven and science-based recommendations,” said Dr Schuchat.

Read: US Probe Of Vaping Related Illnesses Focuses On THC From Marijuana

Read: E-Cigarette: Vaping Leads To Diseases Like Asthma, Reveals Study