When Every Breath Hurts: What Teens and Parents Need to Know About Vaping and Lung Damage

A teenage girl—active, healthy, part of her school’s cheerleading team—suddenly found herself gasping for air at practice. She called her mom, saying:“I can’t breathe.”

Doctors diagnosed her with popcorn lung—a serious and irreversible form of lung damage. The cause? Prolonged vaping, which had gone unnoticed for years.

She now needs an inhaler just to breathe—and she’s far from alone.

What Is Popcorn Lung?

Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is a condition where the smallest airways in your lungs become scarred and inflamed. This scarring makes breathing increasingly difficult and, in most cases, cannot be reversed. Symptoms can include:

• Chronic coughing

• Wheezing

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath, even at rest

This condition was first seen in factory workers producing microwave popcorn—hence the name. The culprit? A chemical called diacetyl, used to add a buttery flavour. Today, this same chemical is found in many flavoured vape liquids.

A Harvard study discovered diacetyl in 39 out of 51 e-cigarette brands tested. Many teens who start vaping don’t realize that these sweet flavours may come at the cost of long-term lung health.

Why Are Teens So Vulnerable?

The issue isn’t just physical—it’s also social and psychological. Teens today face peer pressure, influencer culture, and clever marketing strategies designed to make vaping look safer than traditional smoking. Small, odorless devices are easy to hide, and their use often flies under the radar of adults.

Many teens report starting at 13 or 14 years old, believing vaping to be harmless. But studies show that early use can:

• Impair lung development

• Lead to addiction

• Raise the risk for long-term respiratory and cardiovascular problems

Why Communication Matters

This isn’t only a health crisis. It’s a communication crisis too.

Parents and teachers often don’t know how to talk to teens about vaping. Many feel unsure when—or how—to start the conversation. But avoiding the subject can allow habits to become deeply ingrained.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Talk early.

Don’t wait for a crisis to bring it up. Start open, judgment-free conversations around health and well-being.

2. Create safe spaces.

Teens are more likely to share when they feel safe. Let them know you’re there to listen, not punish.

3. Educate together.

Watch videos, read articles, and learn about vaping side-by-side. This helps establish a shared knowledge base and opens space for meaningful discussion.

4. Know the signs.

Fatigue, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, or a sudden drop in physical endurance may be warning signals of lung damage.

The Real Cost (damage) of Vaping

The danger isn’t just addiction. Research links vaping to:

• Popcorn lung

• Heart disease

• Lung cancer

• Permanent respiratory conditions

These aren’t distant possibilities—they are real consequences being lived by teens today. Some face a lifetime of medical interventions just to manage the damage done in a few short years.

What Can Schools and Communities Do?

• Integrate anti-vaping education into school health programs

• Provide resources for parents to start these conversations

• Train teachers to recognize early warning signs

• Foster peer support initiatives, giving students space to talk and share openly

The Bottom Line

It’s time to move past the assumption that vaping is “just a phase.” Vaping causes serious damage! Whether you're a parent, teacher, or teen, the most important action you can take today is to start the conversation. Ask questions. Listen. Learn together.

Because the price of silence might be a young person’s breath—quite literally.

Adapted and inspired by a post from Dr. Siddhant Bhargava (30 July 2025), medical doctor and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree.

Bhargava, S. (2025, July 30). LinkedIn post.