A young man recounted a frightening incident where he collapsed in a shopping center due to a collapsed lung, which he attributes to nearly a decade of vaping. Raymond Dehn, 24, had been using vape devices since he was 15, obtained from a local store that did not verify age. This health scare served as a wake-up call for him to quit vaping. While out with his girlfriend for food on September 13, he suddenly experienced intense pain between his shoulder blades, leading to him passing out in the shopping center.
After being rushed to the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with a spontaneous pneumothorax, a condition of sudden lung collapse, which they are observing more frequently in young individuals who vape. Raymond, a salesperson from Buffalo, New York, expressed his ordeal, stating, “It was a terrifying and extremely painful experience. I am a healthy young man and never expected this to happen, except due to my vaping.”
He emphasized the importance of quitting vaping, urging other young people to follow suit. Despite not being a regular smoker, Raymond started vaping as a teenager because it was easier to conceal. Over time, vaping became a habit for him, and he eventually started using THC pens as well. On the day of his collapse, after work, he took hits from both his vape and THC pen, which triggered the severe pain leading to his collapse in the mall.
Following hours of waiting at the hospital, Raymond underwent an X-ray revealing his collapsed lung. He spent four nights in the hospital with a chest tube to aid in lung reinflation. The experience has left him physically and mentally strained, fearing a recurrence of the collapse. Raymond now advocates for awareness among young people, having switched to nicotine pouches and edibles as alternatives.
His recovery process continues, with regular check-ups to ensure his lung health. This incident has made him deeply conscious of the risks associated with vaping and THC use, prompting a serious change in his habits.
