By Rebecca Ellis
Gov. Kate Brown (click here) is advising Oregonians to stop vaping immediately after the state’s health authority announced a second vaping-related death Thursday.
Brown said she has sought advice from the Oregon Department of Justice on legal remedies, possibly including a temporary ban on all vaping products. Brown called the death a tragedy and “absolutely unacceptable.”
The governor has also asked the Oregon Health Authority to make recommendations within 24 hours on how “to protect Oregonians and public health.”
The authority has, so far, identified five reports of severe lung injuries that it’s linked to a national outbreak of vaping-related illness. All five individuals had vaped or used e-cigarettes, and were hospitalized after experiencing respiratory issues, resulting in shortness of breath, coughing or chest pain.
Two of the cases resulted in a death with the first fatality announced on Sept. 3. The other three individuals are “recovering,” according to state health officer Dean Sidelinger....
