In a chilling reminder of the dangers associated with vaping, a 22-year-old man from North Dakota recently underwent a rare double lung transplant after his lungs were severely damaged by his vaping habit. Jackson Allard's near-death experience serves as a warning to others, particularly young people, about the serious health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e-cigarette sales are on the rise, with young adults aged 18 to 24 being the highest consumers of vaping products. Shockingly, the CDC reports that 9% of young people between the ages of 11 and 15 admit to being regular vapers.

Allard, who started vaping at the young age of 14, found himself facing a life-threatening situation last year when he developed parainfluenza, which ultimately led to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. His lungs were filled with fluid, leaving him barely able to sleep and experiencing constant vomiting. He was placed on ECMO, a form of life support, for a staggering 70 days, with his chance of survival at just 1%.

In January 2024, due to the extensive damage to his lungs, Allard underwent a double lung transplant - an uncommon procedure for someone his age. The young man and his family firmly believe that his vaping habit was the primary cause of his lung failure.

Since the transplant, Allard's life has drastically changed. He now resides in Minneapolis, renting an apartment while he recovers. He attends rehabilitation twice a week and undergoes weekly bloodwork. Allard takes 30 pills a day and receives IV medication, managed by his family, through a PICC line.

Dr. Brooke Moore, a pediatric pulmonologist at Children's Minnesota, regularly encounters patients with vaping-related lung injuries and emphasizes the severity of the issue. She has observed that young individuals, between 16 and 19 years old, are often affected by vaping-related lung issues. Moore states that even short-term exposure to vaping can result in significant lung damage, comparable to or worse than smoking traditional cigarettes.

Interestingly, most patients experiencing vaping-related health problems have underlying mental health concerns. Many use vaping products as a means of self-medication for anxiety and depression.

While the outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in 2019 shed light on the dangers of vaping, it seems that the issue persists. The CDC, however, stopped tracking EVALI cases in 2020, leading to concerns regarding the extent of the problem. Notably, some vaping products on the market are operating without FDA review or approval, making it difficult to regulate their safety.

Symptoms of vaping-related lung injury include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, and gastrointestinal issues. Experts urge individuals experiencing a combination of these symptoms, especially frequent vapers, to seek medical attention promptly. Support groups and cessation programs are available for those seeking help to quit vaping.

As the number of young people getting hooked on e-cigarettes continues to rise, stories like Jackson Allard's serve as a sobering reminder of the irreversible damage that can result from vaping. It is crucial that education and prevention efforts regarding the risks of vaping are intensified to protect the health and well-being of our youth.