Health officials are sending an urgent warning about smoking e-cigarettes, after a rash of hospitalizations across the U.S. Last week, the first possible death linked to vaping was reported here in Illinois.

The death comes as federal health officials are investigating about 200 cases of severe respiratory problems among e-cigarette users across the U.S. As of last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed 22 cases and are investigating an additional 12 cases.

Morning Shift checks in with a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine for more on these cases and the health risks of vaping.

GUEST: Dr. Samuel Kim, thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine

LEARN MORE: An Illinois resident just died after a mysterious vaping-related illness. It could be the first death linked to vaping in the U.S. (Chicago Tribune 8/23/19)