SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Vaping, an odorless alternative to smoking intended for adults. Free from the incessant chewing of a piece of gum or skin irritation you’d get from a patch. In 2019 what started out as a tasty, and fruity fad nationwide amongst teens turned into a problem, and KELO.com news was there every step of the way.
Within a month of the school year, vaping and e-cigarette use had become a serious issue, prompting some school districts in the area, including Dell Rapids and Mitchell, to install vaping sensors. Even getting the attention of Sioux Falls Public Health Director Jill Franken, Franken issued the following statement regarding cases of vaping-related illnesses:
“As of September 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced there have been 530 confirmed or probable cases of lung injury associated with vaping, a jump from 380 cases reported just a week prior.”
“I strongly agree with the CDC’s recommendation that individuals consider not using e-cigarette products as the investigation into these vaping-related illnesses continues.”
The issue rallied The Sioux Falls School District to hold a town hall on what the CDC had deemed an “epidemic”. In the same month, South Dakota had become the 33rd state to confirm vape related illnesses.
As of today, KELO.com news is reporting 54 people have died, and 2,500 have been hospitalized nationwide.
