NOTE: Earlier reporting stated that there had been six deaths across the country due to the vaping-related illness. That was incorrect, the correct number of deaths is eight as of Thursday evening.
ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - The Tompkins County Health Department is supporting New York’s temporary ban on e-cigarettes.
"Protecting youth from fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes is a huge step in addressing this public health epidemic," Tompkins Health Director Frank Kruppa said.
He warns that the chemicals used for flavoring vaping fluids can cause a serious lung disease.
Officials said anyone experiencing shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting, should contact a health care provider immediately.
This comes after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on the products this week.
Ithaca mayor Svante Myrick said the state’s temporary ban on e-cigarettes was the right thing to do in light of recent deaths nation-wide linked to vaping products.
"I think anything that could keep it especially out of the hands of people under the age of 18 is a very good move," he said.
The CDC and state health departments have reported eight deaths related to the new vaping-related illness across the country.