State bans vapor products containing vitamin E acetate

On Nov. 18, the Washington State Board of Health expanded its emergency rule on vapor products to include a new section that bans the sale of vapor products containing vitamin E acetate.

The update was recommended by the Department of Health, who based the decision on a new finding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found a connection between vitamin E acetate and vaping-associated lung injury. The new study was deeply alarming to Washington Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

“While we still need more research to identify a definitive cause, the evidence we have linking vitamin E acetate to the outbreak demands immediate action to protect the public’s health,” said Wiesman in a press release.

Vitamin E acetate is sometimes used as an additive in vapor products, often as a thickening agent. No single compound or ingredient has been found in all cases of vaping-associated lung injury.

The new section will take effect as soon as it is filed with the code reviser’s office and will remain in effect for 120 days. The rest of the rule is set to expire on Feb. 7, 2020.