A 16-year-old teenager from Rechovot was hospitalized on Tuesday evening in the pediatric intensive care unit at Kaplan Medical Center after suffering respiratory failure due to smoking an e-cigarette. The incident comes less than three weeks after the death of Meidan (Mordechai) Baruch-Keller, z’l, 16, who was attached to an ECMO machine after suffering serious lung damage due to vaping. Fortunately, the current case is less serious than that of Meidan, z’l, and the teen does not need to be connected to an ECMO machine. A statement from the hospital said that “the teen is hospitalized with suspected EVALI (E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury) which is still being tested. The teen said that he smoked e-cigarettes. He arrived at the hospital suffering from respiratory failure, is currently hospitalized in moderate condition, and is receiving supportive care.” The Israel Cancer Association stated: “We wish the teen a speedy recovery and send our support to his family. Vaping has become a dangerous epidemic among children and youth in Israel that continues to claim victims. It is essential that parents are aware of the symptoms and harm they cause. It is a dangerous and addictive product that creates physical and mental dependence and causes serious health issues.” “We call on the members of the Knesset and the government to consider a complete ban on the import of disposable electronic cigarettes and flavored electronic cigarettes, similar to dozens of countries that have already implemented this ban, and also call on the Israel Police to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the sale of these products to minors. We are in a very difficult period and difficult times require decisive measures.” The Health Ministry stated in response to the case: “Unfortunately, within a few weeks, another 16-year-old boy is hospitalized due to the use of electronic cigarettes. This is a wake-up call and the Health Ministry is determined to act in order to reduce the use of electronic cigarettes. In the wake of the dimensions of the spread of the phenomenon, the ministry is examining all possible measures and is working in many ways in order to raise awareness of the dangers of using these products.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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