Health experts are issuing increasing warnings about the dangers of e-cigarettes, which are often mistakenly believed to be a safer alternative to traditional smoking. Doctors emphasize that vaping can lead to serious and lasting health problems.

A report by the science news site Science Alert highlighted the case of an American teenager who developed a rare and irreversible lung condition known as “popcorn lung” after secretly vaping for three years.

Medically termed bronchiolitis obliterans, popcorn lung is a serious disease that damages the tiny airways in the lungs. It causes chronic coughing, wheezing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing—and there is currently no cure.

The name "popcorn lung" originated in the early 2000s, when factory workers at a microwave popcorn plant developed similar symptoms after inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used to give popcorn its buttery flavor. Diacetyl becomes harmful when inhaled, causing inflammation and scarring of the bronchioles, which restricts airflow and leads to permanent damage.

Although diacetyl is the most well-known cause, similar toxic chemicals found in e-cigarette vapor can also trigger popcorn lung and other respiratory issues.

Doctors say prevention is the best defense against these incurable conditions.

Vaping remains especially popular among teens and young adults, largely due to the wide variety of flavored products available. While some of these flavoring agents are approved for food use, inhaling them is a different matter—many become hazardous when heated and turned into vapor.