Manhattan man is second New Yorker to die of vaping-related illness, according to officials

Nov. 20--ALBANY -- A Manhattan man has become the second New Yorker to die from an respiratory illness associated with vaping, officials said Wednesday.

The man, in his 30s, had a "reported history of using e-cigarettes and vape products," according to Gov. Cuomo.

"DOH is continuing its robust investigation into the cause of these illnesses, but in the meantime our message on vaping remains unchanged: if you don't know what you're smoking, don't smoke it," the governor said.

It was not immediately clear where the man was being treated for his condition.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state agencies have reported 2,172 lung injury cases and 43 deaths linked to vaping nationwide. More than 180 people have been hospitalized in New York alone, according to officials.

The first death in the state linked to vaping was reported last month when a 17-year-old from the Bronx died at Montefiore Hospital on Oct. 4 after dealing with a respiratory illness.

Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), who has sponsored legislation to ban all flavored vaping products and to ban all flavored tobacco products, called vaping "a public health crisis."

"Today's news that a Manhattan resident died of vaping-related illness is the latest reminder that these products are unsafe, irresponsible and potentially fatal," he said.

A statewide emergency ban on flavored vape products, which Cuomo and other officials blame for luring kids into using the products, has been delayed by a state court amid a legal challenge.

The CDC has made clear that the majority of cases have been related to THC-containing products with a linkage with Vitamin E acetate.

The vape products, the agency said, "were acquired from informal sources such as friends or illicit in-person and online dealers."

Still, lawmakers have focused on stopping the sale of nicotine products and flavored e-cigs.

Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit Tuesday alleging vape giant JUUL illegally marketed flavored e-cigarettes to teens, igniting the vaping-related health crisis.

The lawsuit claims the company launched a coordinated marketing campaign aimed at hooking kids and downplayed the health risks of the high-nicotine content e-cigarette products,

Cuomo, meanwhile took a shot at President Trump, who vowed weeks ago to ban the sale of flavored vape products.

"We are taking every step possible to combat this crisis on the state level, but the federal government needs to take action now," Cuomo said. "This is Big Tobacco all over again. Make no mistake: this is a public health crisis and until our 'leaders' in Washington do something to stop it, more lives will be lost."

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