In a shocking incident, 17-year-old Kyla Blythe from the UK was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a severe health crisis attributed to excessive vaping. On May 11, while at a sleepover with friends, Kyla suddenly collapsed and turned blue. It was discovered that she had suffered a collapsed lung caused by a pulmonary bleb, a small air blister that had burst due to her heavy vaping habits. Kyla underwent an emergency five-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove the damaged part of her lung. Her father, Mark Blythe, described the ordeal as terrifying. Ive cried like a baby. It was horrible to watch, he said.Start of a dangerous habitKylas vaping journey began at the age of 15. Like many of her peers, she believed vaping was a harmless activity. When I was 15, it started becoming popular. All my friends were doing it. She stated that she would use 4,000-puff vapes and go through them in about a week, assuming it as harmless.The recent health scare has drastically changed Kylas perspective on vaping. Her father is now urging other young people to throw away vapes because its not worth it.Rising popularity of vaping among youthAccording to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), vaping is rapidly gaining popularity among children in the UK. The number of children who have tried vaping nearly doubled to 20% in 2023. Alarmingly, even children below the age of 5 are getting addicted to vaping, with some ending up in the hospital due to collapsed lungs.Health risks beyond lung damageVaping poses significant health risks beyond lung damage. Experts warn that the toxic chemicals found in vapes, including lead and uranium, can stunt brain growth in teenagers. These dangerous substances highlight the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures to protect young people from the harmful effects of vaping.
