Vaping — use of electronic devices rather than burning tobacco to inhale nicotine — at one time seemed to be a good alternative to smoking. But something seems to have gone badly wrong.

Federal officials are investigating a spate of serious breathing illnesses linked to vaping in 33 states. More than 450 cases — five involving deaths — have been reported.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging those who engage in vaping to stop until more can be learned about the problem. It is good advice.

Trump rebuffs Taliban

Leaders of the quasi-terrorist organization known as the Taliban had every reason to believe their strategy of shedding blood to prod Americans into pulling out of Afghanistan would work. It has in the past, for both Islamic extremists and others.

Not this time.

President Donald Trump had planned a secret meeting with Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. It was expected the gathering, to be held at the Camp David presidential retreat, would be a step in finalizing plans for withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. Trump canceled the meeting.

Trump was right to reject the Taliban strategy. He should follow up by providing more military aid to the Afghan government, making it clear to the Taliban that their strategy has, if anything, backfired on them.