CREVE COEUR, Mo. — Doctor Michael Plisco can pull up a scan of a lung after vaping, and show you the damage.
"You can see there's more white here, more white here, and that just tells us there's a disease in the lung," Plisco said pointing at a scan on his computer. "It doesn't tell you what it is. It just tells you there is disease in the lung."
The scan belongs to the first patient to die from a vaping-related illness in Missouri, a man in his 40s who had been vaping for four weeks before treatment and continued another four weeks after his initial doctor's visit.
By the time the patient came to Plisco at Mercy Hospital, he requiring a ventilator.
"Here you can see the black out here, this is trauma to the chest jut by trying to support the lungs with the breathing machine," Plisco said refering again to the scan. "His lungs were so stiff that they could not expand without causing more and more harm."
Republican Gov. Mike Parson said at a news conference Tuesday that he is directing leaders of the state health, education and public safety departments to develop a statewide campaign within 30 days.
"This is truly an epidemic, and it is critical that actions be taken to protect the health and well-being of Missouri’s youth," Gov. Parson said.
He signed an executive order Tuesday morning for a campaign called 'Clear the Air'. The goal is to educate people about vaping, warn them of the dangers and discourage them from doing it altogether.
The campaign will focus on educating teenagers about the dangers and misconceptions of vaping and tobacco use.
State health director Randall Williams said there has been an "explosion" in the number of young people vaping in Missouri and across the country.
Faculty and staff at schools across the state will get training on how to spot and battle underage vaping in school halls, according to state leaders.
Gov. Parson emphasized this is just the first step, and more action could be taken once more research is complete.
"I think it is a great start," Plisco said. "I think stores took a big stance over the last couple of weeks. And I think people are now realizing hey there is something going on out here and I need to be a little more careful in a little bit more selective of what I put into my body."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that nationwide, vaping is now blamed on about 1,300 illnesses and at least 26 deaths. Missouri has reported 23 vaping illnesses and one death. Most of those affected are under the age of 25.
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