U.S. authorities say a third person has died from a vaping-related illness

The country's leading health institution are encouraging people to stop vaping while their investigation continues.

Federal health officials in America confirmed today (Friday 6 September) via the New York Times that 450 people across 33 states have come down with a deadly lung illness that has been linked to e-cigarette use. Additionally, officials in Indiana also reported today that a person in their state has died from the disease, bringing the total death toll related to the disease up to three. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced that "We are committed to finding out what is making people sick. All available information is being carefully analyzed, and these initial findings are helping us narrow the focus of our investigation and get us closer to the answers needed to save lives." The exact cause of the illness is still currently unknown, but Dana Meaney-Delman, the head of the CDC's investigation into the illness, stated that "While this investigation is ongoing, people should consider not using e-cigarette products." It is estimated that 4 percent of the Irish population regularly use e-cigarettes. According to the HSE: "Current government policy does not identify a role for e-cigarettes in tobacco control in Ireland. The Department of Health continues to monitor evidence in this areas as part of its ongoing monitoring and review of Tobacco Free Ireland and will determine any updates to policy as appropriate."