Death Certificate Links Paraná Teen's Death to E‑Cigarette Use

Overview

• The document issued Thursday, Nov. 27, cites pulmonary sepsis and acute respiratory failure attributed to tobacco use via electronic cigarette.
• The 16-year-old was hospitalized Saturday with vomiting and throat pain, developed kidney failure and a lung infection, and was transferred to the ICU for intubation.
• The stepfather, 55-year-old João Gonçalves, had a fulminant heart attack in the ICU reception on Sunday as he arrived to visit and died at the hospital.
• The mother said the teen disclosed using e‑cigarettes for about two months; a doctor reportedly linked a throat lesion to vaping, and prior bronchiolitis was noted as a vulnerability.
• Experts warn of growing youth use and nicotine dependence as Brazil’s sales ban since 2009 has not prevented easy access in stores and online.