Washington bans vape products containing vitamin E acetate

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state has banned the sale of vapor products containing vitamin E acetate.

The state Board of Health’s ban, which takes effect Wednesday, comes following findings released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linking the compound to the outbreak of lung injuries that has sickened more than 2,000 people nationwide. More than 40 people have died.

There have been 15 confirmed cases since April in Washington state. Last month, state health officials adopted an emergency rule banning the sale of flavored vapor products. The rule was extended Monday to include the ban of products containing vitamin E acetate.

State officials say that no processors have reported using vitamin E acetate in their products.