Young Man Collapses Lung After Vaping Habit

A 24-year-old man from Buffalo, New York, says he suffered a spontaneous lung collapse after nearly a decade of vaping — a dramatic health scare that doctors say is becoming more common among young e-cigarette users. (See comparable research into vaping-linked pneumothorax.)

What Happened

The man, who had used nicotine and THC vaping products regularly since his mid-teens, walked into a mall with a sudden “searing pain” between his shoulder blades.

He collapsed shortly afterwards and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a spontaneous pneumothorax — meaning his lung had partially (or fully) collapsed without an obvious trauma. Afterwards, he was hospitalised for four nights after chest-tube intervention and had to stop vaping. He describes the incident as a wake-up call.

Why Vaping May Be the Culprit

While lung collapse can happen for reasons unrelated to vaping (such as underlying lung disease or genetic susceptibility), growing evidence links vaping to increased risk of serious lung injury. A paper in Respiratory Medicine Case Reports described spontaneous pneumothorax in a 19-year-old after daily e-cigarette use — indicating the connection is more than anecdotal.

Another recent journal article noted that nicotine inhalation and flavouring additives may damage lung tissue and increase porosity, making collapse more feasible.

Experts at Hopkins Medicine also warn that vaping can cause airway inflammation, lung-tissue damage, and mimic the health risks of traditional smoking.

Key Takeaways for Vaping & Public Health

• The risk is not just long-term: young, seemingly healthy individuals are being affected.
• Many of these cases feature no prior lung disease, strengthening the concern that e-cigarettes themselves may be a direct trigger.
• Symptoms to watch: sudden chest pain (especially one-sided), shortness of breath, shoulder-blade or upper-back pain — these might signal pneumothorax.
• Treatment often involves chest-tube insertion, hospital stay and lifestyle change (such as quitting).
• Even after recovery, lung function may be compromised, and the risk of recurrence is higher.

What This Means for You

If you vape, this story is a strong reminder that vaping is not risk-free. Flavoured devices, disposable pods and daily heavy usage may feel harmless but may be quietly injuring your lungs. The man’s collapse didn’t result from a workout or trauma — it came from inhaling vapour.

Doctors recommend:

• Consider quitting vaping or switching to safer alternatives under medical supervision.
• Be alert to symptoms of lung trouble and seek evaluation immediately.
• Don’t assume “because I’m young and healthy, I’m safe” — these cases show that may not hold.

You might also want to read: Vaping Risks You Should Definitely Know About