Same technology, different health outcomes

[timelets]

There have been no deaths and few if any cases of lung illness directly attributed to vaping in the U.K. A recent study has concluded that vaping is now helping up to 70,000 people stop smoking every year by reaching those who failed to quit smoking by other means.
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In the U.S., by contrast, vaping has killed at least 33 people, injured about 1,500 and earned the wrath of both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and President Trump.
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Why the different experience? The CDC says that most cases of illness are linked to vaping products laced with THC oil, an ingredient of cannabis, “particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources (e.g., friends, family members, illicit dealers).” In addition, many American nicotine e-cigs are much stronger than those allowed in Britain, where there is a 2% limit on nicotine concentrations under the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive. A typical Juul is nearly three times as strong.

In Britain, a manufacturer or importer of e-cigarettes must submit a notification to the authorities six months in advance of a product launch and is subject to strict product-safety regulations, including toxicological testing of the ingredients and emissions, as well as rules ensuring tamper-proof and leakproof packaging. Stimulants, colorings and vitamin additives are tightly regulated.

Few such regulations exist in the U.S. For many observers, this explains the higher injury rate.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-u-k-isnt-having-problems-with-vaping-11571928833