Vaping illnesses rise, and the number of young kids vaping soars

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that the number of severe vaping illnesses has risen again, to a total of 2,506 cases nationwide.

That's an increase of 97 patients since last week — all hospitalized with EVALI, an acronym for e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury.

There's no indication investigators are any closer to figuring out the exact cause of the illnesses, though there have been clues. Many cases have involved counterfeit weed pens. And vitamin E oil, a carrier oil used in some illicit vapes, has been found in the lungs of a number of patients.