First Confirmed Case of Underage E-cigarette Related Lung Disease in Costa Rica

News by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nov.17.2023
First Confirmed Case of Underage E-cigarette Related Lung Disease in Costa Rica
Costa Rica reports its first confirmed case of a minor with e-cigarette related lung disease, raising concerns over its safety.

According to a report on November 15 from CNN Spain, the Social Security Fund of Costa Rica (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) has recently issued a statement confirming the country's first case of an e-cigarette related lung disease in a minor.

 

According to a report by the organization, a 16-year-old minor has been using e-cigarettes without supervision on a regular basis. As a result, the individual had to spend 29 days in the intensive care unit for treatment, during which mechanical ventilation and intubation were necessary. The organization highlights this case to remind the public once again that e-cigarettes are not harmless and are not a smoking cessation method, as they can potentially be fatal.

 

According to the institution's statistics, the number of cases related to e-cigarette-associated illnesses in the Costa Rican public healthcare system has risen significantly, from 13 cases in the entire year of 2021 to 857 cases in the first half of 2023. The majority of these cases are reported from clinics in the central region of the country.

 

In addition, the results of the 2021 National Survey on the Consumption of Psychotropic Substances among the population of secondary education, published by the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA) in Costa Rica, reveal a significant increase in the proportion of students who have experimented with nicotine or e-cigarette products, reaching 13.1%. This percentage is nearly triple the findings from the previous survey conducted in 2018 (4.6%).

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Trump Reportedly Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
Trump Reportedly Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
According to The Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter said President Trump has signed off on a plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, though the plan is not yet final and could change. The report said Makary’s tenure has included clashes over vaping, abortion and drug policy, and that some senior administration officials view him as struggling to manage the agency.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
2Firsts has noted that Geek Bar has added BURJ to its official product portfolio under the E-HOOKAH category. Public information shows that BURJ 80K is a hookah-style disposable vape featuring a 25ml e-liquid capacity, a 1500mAh battery, 0.4Ω dual coils and three operating modes: ECO, Regular and Pulse. According to publicly available product information, the device is rated for up to 80,000 puffs in ECO mode and uses a nicotine strength of 0.5% (5mg/ml).
Market
May.29
BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%
BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%
According to Investing.com citing Bank of America scanner data for the four weeks ending May 30, U.S. nicotine category performance was mixed, with cigarette, vapor and cigar sales declining while oral tobacco sales rose 5.8%.
Jun.10
Special Report|U.S.-Facing Retailer Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K: A Chinese Brand Signal Under FDA’s Lower-Priority Enforcement Window
Special Report|U.S.-Facing Retailer Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K: A Chinese Brand Signal Under FDA’s Lower-Priority Enforcement Window
Vapesourcing has listed RELX Creator Pro 15K as “Coming Soon” with U.S. warehouse shipping options; while the page does not show that RELX has entered the U.S. market through official channels or that the product has received FDA authorization, the listing suggests that Chinese brand-led ENDS products are becoming a new point of observation as the U.S. market reassesses regulatory risk following the FDA’s updated enforcement-priority policy.
Industry Insight
Jun.11
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24
 Zyn Emerges as MAGA Cultural Symbol Amid FDA Policy Shift
Zyn Emerges as MAGA Cultural Symbol Amid FDA Policy Shift
According to The Wall Street Journal, nicotine pouch brand Zyn has rapidly gained popularity across the Trump administration and conservative political circles, including among U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Business
May.20