By Playfuls Team Deaths from e-cigarettes in the United States have risen to 18 in 15 states, health authorities said on Friday.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a media statement that the average age of patients who died had been 50, in the 27-71 age group.
At least 1080 cases of lung injury were reported in 48 states, an increase of 275 compared to last week.
The director of the center, Robert Redfield, described the increase in deaths as "very disturbing."
"Unfortunately, this may be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the growing health threat that this epidemic poses to the American people, especially to young people and adults."