A Bronx teen has died from a vaping-related illness, marking the first such death in the state, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo, who has taken up the issue of vaping, announced the death at a news conference.

“This vaping is a public health crisis. It is affecting our young people. It has been marketed to young people,” Cuomo told reporters.

The teen was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center after the teen became ill, according to published reports. The Journal News, citing the state Health Department, reports the teen was admitted in early September for a vaping-related respiratory illness, released, then re-admitted before he died on Oct. 4.

Despite Cuomo’s assertion the boy died from vaping, the City Medical Examiner did not reach that conclusion yet. “The city is investigating the case in question but no official determination has been made at this time,” said a spokesperson.

More than 100 people across the state have become ill from vaping, with 21 across the city.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Montefiore Health System offered its condolences to the family.

“[O]ut of respect for their privacy we cannot share any information,” said the spokesperson. “As a health system focused on improving the well-being of our communities, we strongly support the government’s warnings about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products.”

The teen is now the 19th person across the country to have died from a vaping-related illness. Authorities believe the teen was made sick from vaping cartridges where the key ingredient causes the high in marijuana, according to the New York Post.

“And all of this is illegal. All the sale to minors, this is all illegal, but it is everywhere. And these companies know exactly what they’re doing because they market to young people. When you are selling bubble gum and Scooby Doo flavor, you know exactly what you’re doing. You are targeting young people, which is illegal for cigarette manufacturers by the way, and some of these vaping companies are owned by tobacco companies,” said Cuomo, now urging the federal government to act.

The State Department of Health is now investigating the death. The news comes as the state banned the sale of e-flavored cigarettes, which is now being challenged in court.

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.