Millions of people are switching to e-cigarettes each year, using vaping to quit smoking. But is it without its risks?
The number of vaping-related illnesses in the United States have increased this summer - with one person dying from severe lung illness linked to e-cigarettes.
However, the jump in illnesses could be from counterfeit products, rather than normal vaping.
The Claim
According to BuzzFeed News, the number of vaping-related illness cases have more than quadrupled in the past two weeks with 215 possible cases reported across 25 states in the US.
There have been a number of hospitalisations. Patients have displayed a severe shortness of breath and chest pains - some of whom have ended up in intensive care or on a ventilator. They have also suffered from vomiting, fever and fatigue for several days.
The first death in the vaping lung outbreak was reported in Illinois last week when an adult died from severe lung illness linked to e-cigarette usage.
Health officials are investigating whether a particular toxin or substance has entered into the supply of vaping products.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is not clear whether the cases have a common cause, they have warned people to stop buying counterfeit and street cannabis and e-cigarette products .
Some state and local health agencies - such as Milwaukee - have called for people to stop using all vaping products.
The Counterclaim
However, National Review's Robert Verbruggen says there is no need to panic over the mystery vaping disease - but warns to stay away from the counterfeit products.
He argues that the number of people falling ill to vaping-related illnesses are not comparable to those from smoking. While smoking is estimated to kill nearly half a million Americans and leaves many more with serious illnesses, the number of vaping-related illnesses reported recently is low.
Verbruggen writes: "So far, then, the mystery lung disease is just a blip on the radar in terms of the overall problem we're trying to address."
He also notes that there are strong suggestions that the illnesses are caused by bad or counterfeit products - not normal vaping.
He concludes: "For the time being, though, this seems like a problem limited to small batches of bad products - not unlike the food-borne illnesses that kill several thousand Americans each year - rather than a reason to change course on vaping overall."
The Facts
E-cigarettes were first introduced to the UK in 2007, and since then, the number of vapers have grown in popularity. In 2012, there were 700,000 vapers in the UK - and six years later, there were more than four times that number.
According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), it is estimated that there are now 3.2 million vapers in Britain, compared to 7.4 million smokers. Over half of vapers have quit smoking, while 40 per cent are current smokers who are trying to quit.
There is strong evidence that vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking, but it is not without its risks. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology in 2016 identified harmful emissions in e-cigarettes, including possible carcinogens and irritants.
It is also recommended that non-smokers do not try vaping. Kevin Burns, the CEO of e-cigarette company Juul, warned non-smokers against using their products.
He said: "Don't vape. Don't use Juul. Don't start using nicotine if you don't have a pre-existing relationship with nicotine. Don't use the product. You're not our target consumer."
The number of harmful emissions found in e-cigarettes, however, has been found to be at a much lower level than traditional smoking. A report by Public Health England found that e-cigarettes are at least 95 per cent less harmful than cigarettes.
The agency is not alone with this view. It is supported by key bodies, including Cancer Research UK, Action on Smoking and Health, the Royal College of Physicians, and the British Medical Association.
