Time now for our "Life & Info" segment... where we focus on information useful for your everyday life.<br />With vaping-related illnesses emerging in the United States, the South Korean health ministry has advised the public to refrain from using electronic cigarettes.<br />However, it added that no case of such illnesses has been reported in the country so far.<br />Park Se-young has more. <br /> More than five hundred cases of severe lung illnesses linked to vaping have been reported in the United States so far.<br />The Centers for Disease Control is conducting a large-scale investigation and does not yet know what in electronic cigarettes is causing the illnesses.<br />A key focus of the investigation has been Vitamin E acetate, which is used to thicken THC oil.<br />In response, the South Korean health ministry will carry out its own investigation into whether the e-cigarettes being distributed in the country contain THC oil or vitamin E acetate, …as well as a study of the two substances' toxic properties.<br /><br />The Korean health ministry says no cases of vaping-related illness have been reported in the country, …but advises the public not to use them until the studies are completed.<br /> To help monitor the association of e-cigarette use with illness, …e-cigarette smokers are asked see a doctor if they experience common symptoms of lung illnesses. <br /> In the U.S., the CDC closely analyzed 373 of the 530 reported cases and found that two-thirds of people with severe lung illnesses are between 18 and 34 years of age.<br />Men made up 72 percent of them. <br />Using previously collected data on e-cigarette users and health insurance, the Korean health ministry will look into suspected domestic cases.<br /><br />The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday that the government will review adjustments to taxes on e-cigarettes,... which are about 40 percent of those levied on traditional cigarettes.<br /> The changes will be made after a joint study with the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Health and Welfare due by the end of this year.<br />The ministry will also study overseas cases and come up with necessary countermeasures.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br />
