Cuomo: Teen First To Die in New York From Vaping-Related Illness
A teenager is the first New Yorker to die from a vaping-related illness. Gov. Cuomo is calling vaping a "public health crisis."
Gov. Cuomo confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday "the first vaping death in the state of New York." Cuomo said the death was a 17-year-old male from the Bronx.
The Bronx teen now marks about 19 vaping related deaths in the United States with over 1,000 vaping related illnesses, according to Cuomo.
"This vaping is a public health crisis. It is affecting our young people. It has been marketed to young people. The federal government should act. The President had talked about taking action. I don't know how people have to die before he takes action," Cuomo said at the press conference.
The New York State Department of Health is investigating the teen's death. He was pronounced dead at Montefiore Hospital, WPIX reports. More details about the teenager's death haven't been released.
"Parents have to know, young people have to know, you are playing with your life when you play with this stuff," Cuomo said.
New York State has moved to ban flavored vapes, which is now pending in the court, according to Cuomo. In early September, New York health officials urged residents to stop vaping.
"I can tell you as a person who was young and stupid and smoked, it is an addiction that you will fight for your entire life," Cuomo said. "That's the best case. Worst case is you vape and it kills you," he said. "It's not regulated. It's not tested. You don't know what vaping is. Nobody studied the effect of steam in your lungs with these chemicals, and you drop dead. That's the worst case."