‘By making it difficult for adolescents to get vaping products, and remove the allure of candy-like flavors, we hope it lessens the use by children.’”

Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse

Vaping has been the focus of intense attention and scrutiny across the nation in recent weeks, as hundreds of cases of mysterious – and often sudden – lung injuries have been reported in what health officials have described as an epidemic.

Last week, two Rhode Island cases – the first reported in the state – were added to that growing list. According to the Department of Health, both of the affected people – one between the ages of 18 and 24, the other between the ages of 25 to 35 – experienced the onset of symptoms in early September and have since been discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the health department has instituted a temporary ban on the sale of flavored vaping products, as ordered by Gov. Gina Raimondo.

Jeannine Nota-Masse, superintendent of Cranston Public Schools, said she hopes the state’s move will do what the governor intends – help prevent young people from accessing and using vaping products.

“I am optimistic that Gov. Raimondo’s order will help our efforts to steer children away from these products,” she said. “By making it difficult for adolescents to get vaping products, and remove the allure of candy-like flavors, we hope it lessens the use by children.”

Nota-Masse said the school district works with the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force and Cranston Police Department “to educate children about the serious health risks involved with using these products.” The issue is discussed in health classes, during student assemblies, at open houses and via communications with parents and guardians.

The nature of vaping devices, Nota-Masse said, can make combating their use a challenge.

“It is difficult for adults to know if children are using these products because many of the devices look like other type of things kids would normally have, such as a flash drive or a highlighter,” she said. “Another problem is the smell. Unlike cigarettes, the vape smells like fruity or sweet scents, so it isn’t easily detected. For parents, it is not as obvious as your child coming home smelling like cigarettes.”

Nota-Masse acknowledged the district has experienced issues with students using vaping devices in schools, particularly in restrooms.

“When caught with these items, students face disciplinary consequences and we encourage cessation counseling for the student,” she said.

Nota-Masse reiterated her view that the governor’s action is appropriate, given the health risks associated with nicotine use by children.

“While I understand the usefulness of these products for adults to move away from cigarettes, we are now learning how dangerous they are for growing children,” she said. “Brain development is affected by nicotine use in adolescence, which could lead to other addictive behaviors. Pulmonary function seems to be particularly at risk with what has been reported. These are health issues we want our students to be aware of, so they can make smart, informed choices about what they put into their bodies.”

Raimondo’s order, which went into effect on Oct. 4, prohibits the sale of flavored electronic nicotine-delivery systems – or ENDS – in Rhode Island for four months with an option for a 60-day extension. Compassion centers that offer THC-based vaping products to medicinal marijuana patients and licensed cultivators are exempt from the ban. A letter was sent to all registered ENDS retailers regarding the emergency rules.

“Compassion centers and licensed cultivators registered with the State of Rhode Island are already highly regulated by RIDOH and the Department of Business Regulation,” a statement from the health department reads. “RIDOH will consider taking further action regarding THC-based vaping in conjunction with the advice of the Vaping Advisory Committee being formed pursuant to Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order.”

The health department said its regulations were formulated based on “extensive community outreach” with “the business industry, healthcare providers, community partners, other state agencies, prevention and cessation advocates, parents, youth, and members of the General Assembly.”

According to the statement, approximately one in five Rhode Island high school students and 15 percent of the state’s middle school students report regularly using vaping products. Most, the statement reads, reporting using products with flavors such as “mango, cucumber, vanilla, cherry, mint and cotton candy.”

“I’m deeply concerned about the rapid increase and effects of e-cigarette use among youth. That’s why in Rhode Island we’re taking action to ensure that companies can no longer market these products with colorful packaging and candy-based flavors,” Raimondo said in the statement. “This is a public health crisis, and the regulations announced today will help to protect our kids’ health.”

In terms of the local lung injury cases, the health department said that the two incidents were “not linked.” Products used by each of the people involved have been sent to a state lab for testing, the department said.

“The specific chemical exposures causing lung injury associated with vaping have not yet been identified,” a statement from the department reads. “Given the unknowns about this lung injury cluster, the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] is reporting the number of cases in each state using the single designation ‘confirmed and probable cases.’ Rhode Island’s two cases are among these ‘confirmed and probable cases.’”

The latest figures from the CDC show 1,080 reported lung injury cases across 48 states and one U.S. territory. Eighteen related deaths have been confirmed in 15 states.

“There have been no deaths in Rhode Island,” the health department’s statement reads. “All patients have a history of vaping. The latest findings from the investigation suggest that products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) play a role in the outbreak. THC is a component in cannabis.”

“While we do not yet know what exactly is causing people to become ill across the country, we do know that these lung injuries are serious, and in some instances even fatal,” said Director of Heath Nicole Alexander-Scott said. “E-cigarettes are addictive and dangerous. Children, adolescents, and pregnant women should never vape, and any adult who vapes should strongly consider not doing so until we know more. There are safe, effective resources in Rhode Island to help people quit using e-cigarettes. Help is available today at no cost.”