UK Teen's Lung Collapses After Vaping the Equivalent of 400 Cigarettes a Week

UK Teen's Lung Collapses After Vaping the Equivalent of 400 Cigarettes a Week

A 17-year-old girl from the UK, Kyla Blythe, was hospitalized after a hole burst in her lung due to vaping the equivalent of 400 cigarettes a week. The incident occurred on May 11 during a sleepover at a friend's house when Blythe collapsed and turned blue.

The Incident and Medical Response

Excessive vaping caused a small air blister, known as a pulmonary bleb, on Blythe's lung to burst, leading to the collapse. She underwent a five-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove part of her lung. Her father, Mark Blythe, expressed his terror, stating, "It was life-threatening. She was so close to having a cardiac arrest."

Vaping Habits and Realization

Ms. Blythe began vaping at age 15, influenced by her peers and believing it to be harmless. She consumed an entire 4,000-puff vape weekly. Reflecting on the experience, she said, "I honestly thought they were harmless and wouldn't do anything to anyone." The ordeal has since scared her away from vaping.

Warning to Others

Her father urged young people to "throw away vapes because it's not worth it." According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), vaping's popularity is rapidly increasing among children, with the number of those who have tried it nearly doubling to 20% in 2023. Alarmingly, children under five are also getting addicted and hospitalized due to collapsed lungs. Additionally, vaping poses risks such as stunted brain growth in teenagers due to toxic chemicals like lead and uranium found in the devices.