Popcorn Lungs: The Vape Crisis

Vaping, once marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, is causing serious health risks for Gen Z. From short-term symptoms like cough and headaches to long-term conditions such as asthma and popcorn lung.

How did Gen Z go from the generation that dropped cigarette smoking rates from 50% of men and 40% of women to just 12% and 10%, only to end up with a whole new nicotine problem—one that leads to real medical conditions, including a disease nicknamed popcorn lung?

E-cigarettes, JUULs, and vapes were originally marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking.

They were sold to as just flavoured air—a trendy, harmless habit. What no one would say at the time is that these devices contain diacetyl, a chemical found in vape juice that, when heated and inhaled, can cause irreversible damage to the lungs.

Diacetyl wasn't banned in North America (and still isn’t in many places), and when vaping became mainstream, it wasn’t even regulated. That means Gen Z unknowingly became the guinea pig generation. The only way to prove vaping was harmful was through long-term studies and real-life consequences and now, those consequences are showing up.

E-cigs have existed in concept since 1963 and were reintroduced to the public in 2003. But from 2011 to 2025, only now are we starting to see the full picture. Long-term studies have confirmed what many people began suspecting years ago: vaping isn’t harmless. It’s not just “a phase.” It comes with side effects and real health risks.

Wondering if you’re already feeling the effects? Here are some early symptoms reported by frequent vapers:

• Shortness of breath

• Sore throat

• Headaches

• Stomachaches

• A persistent, phlegmy cough

  
  

And here are some of the potential long-term conditions linked to vaping:

• Asthma Development: Vaping has been shown to irritate the airways and increase asthma risk, even for people who never had it before.

• Peritonsillar Abscess: A painful buildup of pus behind the tonsils that can cause your throat to swell shut, often requiring surgery.

• Popcorn Lung (Bronchiolitis Obliterans): A serious, irreversible lung disease that damages the small airways in your lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Despite how common vaping has become, scientists still don’t fully understand the long-term effects of heated humectants, the substances that keep vape juice from drying out. What is known is that they irritate the lungs and raise the risk of chronic respiratory problems.

So What Now? Tips to Quit Vaping

If you’re ready to stop, or even just thinking about it, here are some tips that can actually help:

1. Know Your Triggers: Is it stress, boredom, peer pressure, or habit? Understanding what makes you reach for your vape is the first step to stopping.

2. Replace the Ritual: Vaping often becomes a part of your routine, after meals, during study breaks, while driving. Try swapping it with gum, mints, a stress ball, or even deep breathing exercises.

3. Set a Quit Date and Make It Real: Pick a date in the near future and commit to it. Write it down. Tell a friend. Make it official.

4. Use Support Tools: There are apps designed to help you quit, like QuitNow or MyQuitCoach. Nicotine patches or gum can also help if you're dealing with strong cravings.

5. Talk About It: You're not alone. Talk to a friend, a sibling, a therapist, or even an online community. The more support you have, the better your chances.

6. Remind Yourself Why: Write down the reasons you want to quit: your health, your wallet, your energy, your future. Keep them somewhere visible to stay motivated.

 We’ve already seen what happened when previous generations didn't ask questions about cigarettes. This time, we have the power to stop before things get worse. It’s not “just flavored air.” It’s your lungs, your brain, your body, and it deserves better.