Teen nearly dies from vaping, left with permanently damaged lungs

A 19-year-old boy who spent 10 weeks in hospital from a six-month vaping addiction, now has permanently damaged lungs.

A teenager who nearly died after vaping for six months has been left with the lungs of a 80 year-old lifelong smoker.

Ewan Fisher’s lungs failed the night before he was due to start his final high school exams.

He spent weeks in intensive care and the 16-year-old then needed an artificial lung in order to survive, The Sun reports

Ewan spent 10 weeks in hospital as doctors fought to save his life.

Now 19, he’s back at home but has been left with the lungs of an 80-year-old and doctors say it’s down to vaping.

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Aspiring boxer Ewan Fisher has been left with lungs of a lifelong smoker due to vaping. Picture: Facebook

Ewan, an aspiring boxer, took up vaping to help him stop smoking and to boost his fitness.

He had dreams of becoming a professional boxer, but now Ewan gets out of breath just walking up the stairs.

His 65-year-old grandfather, who has smoked for 40 years, is fitter than him, he said.

Not only does Ewan now have severe issues with his lungs, but he has also put on 31kg since going into hospital.

Ewan, who lives in Nottingham, UK, said he also suffers from mental health issues.

He said doctors had originally told him that he’d make a full recovery, but four years on, he’s still struggling.

“I wouldn’t even say they’re at 60 per cent,” Ewan said. “I used to be really healthy. I used to run every night and I can’t do anything any more. When it’s hot it messes with my lungs. I’m on steroids to help them cope.”

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Doctors originally told Ewan he would make a full recovery but he is still struggling. Picture: Handout/PA

Ewan said vaping has ruined all his joints.

“My life’s changed massively,” he said. “When I was in hospital they said I had the lungs of an 80-year-old lifelong smoker and I’d only vaped for five or six months.”

Last December, Ewan’s family released pictures of him in intensive care.

Ewan said it had been easy to buy cigarettes and e-cigarettes in 2017 – despite being underage.

In May that year, Ewan was finding it harder and harder to breathe.

Ewan’s family previously released photos of him in intensive care. Picture: Handout/PA

His lungs began to fail and he ended up in Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Soon after he was taken to Leicester and attached to an artificial lung or ECMO (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation) machine.

Ewan developed a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis – something he was breathing in was setting off his immune system, with catastrophic consequences.

After returning home, Ewan is warning people of the dangers of vaping and travels around the country talking to children about the problems you could face if you vape.

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Ewan is now back at home but struggles with his mental health following the ordeal. Picture: Facebook

Ewan has just finished studying business and finance and is hoping to train as an accountant.

Despite the dangers, Ewan said others still see vaping as a safe alternative.

He added that the flavours entice kids because they are “really addictive”.

“When I went into the hospital they took my vape and I was vaping blue flush (blackberry flavour) and I had a rhubarb and custard one too.

“It’s that sort of stuff that got me addicted. Those sweet flavours are addictive and they entice young people.”

The debate over the safety of vaping is rife in America and some states have already banned the products.

Ewan has warned people of the dangers of vaping. Picture: Handout/PA

These products also contain higher nicotine levels. EU rules prohibit this.

Just last month, it was also revealed that vaping doubles the risk of youngsters smoking real cigarettes and is linked to heart problems.

“I wasn’t even vaping the high nicotine stuff – I was 6mg of nicotine. I tried the higher ones and it was making me choke. I was about 16 and I’d just started vaping and I took a hit of my mates ones and I was choking for ages.

“If those high-strength vapes came over here it would cause mayhem.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Teen nearly dies from vaping, left with permanently damaged lungs