Missouri Man Becomes 8th Person to Die of Vaping-Related Illness in the U.S.

(NEW YORK) — More than 500 people have been diagnosed with vaping-related breathing illnesses, but the cause remains unknown, U.S. health officials said Thursday. An eighth death was also reported.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration revealed that its criminal investigations unit started tracking leads early on, as cases pointed to black market vaping products. The agency’s tobacco director, Mitch Zeller, stressed that it is not interested in prosecuting individuals who use illegal products but is lending a hand because of the unit’s “special skills.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 530 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in 38 states and one U.S. territory, up from 380 a week ago.

The eighth death was a man in his mid-40s who died this week in a St. Louis hospital, Missouri health officials said.

Canada reported its first case Wednesday, a high school student who was on life support and has since recovered.

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