A large majority of the people suffering from a vaping-related lung illness said they used products containing THC, and most of them obtained the products through “informal” sources, according to new federal data released Tuesday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obtaining products from only informal sources was substantially more common for THC products than for just nicotine-containing products while obtaining products only from commercial sources was much more common for nicotine than for THC-containing products.

Young patients, particularly those who were between 13 to 17 years old, were more likely to acquire both THC- and nicotine containing products from informal sources than were adults. 

The agency found that 627 patients, or 78 percent, of patients said they obtained a THC-vaping device from friends, family, dealers or other sources. Only 131 patients, or 16 percent, reported acquiring them only from commercial sources.

As of Jan. 7, the CDC said nearly 2,000 patients suffering from vaping-related lung illness had reported what types of devices they were using and where they obtained them. 

Of those patients, 82 percent said they used THC products, and 34 percent said they used THC vaping products exclusively. [Read more at The Hill]