Lawmakers set to press for answers on vaping crisis

A House subcommittee is holding a hearing today about the connection between a recent spate of lung illnesses and e-cigarettes. It's the second such event just this week and signals growing pressure from government authorities when it comes to regulating vaping devices. Already, some 530 people have become sick and nine have died. CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat told lawmakers at a hearing yesterday that “hundreds more” such cases had been reported since last week. Something to note for today’s hearing: FDA acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless will testify, as will officials from states that reported vaping-related illnesses.

The U.S. is not alone in scrutinizing e-cigarettes: China is expected to impose new regulations and India has already banned the sale of the products.