A man said he “couldn’t breathe at all” when walking up the stairs and developed a severe lung infection after vaping for four years.
David Becker started vaping at the age of 22 while trying to kick his smoking habit, as he assumed e-cigarettes were healthier for him. However, not long after he began vaping, the 30-year-old said his illnesses “began mounting up in waves” and he was “coughing constantly”.
David, from Leeds, said he thought his cough was caused by a cold or allergy, but it progressively worsened, until he ended up in hospital. He told The Mirror: “My experience with vaping began when I was 22. I’d been trying to kick my smoking habit at the time, and vaping seemed the better option. It was cool, easy, and better than smoking cigarettes. For the next four years I vaped, convinced that I’d made a healthier decision.”
But David, who works as a tutor for UKWritings.com, added: “The ills began mounting up in waves. Initially, I was coughing constantly, thinking it was simply a cold or allergy. Eventually, though, it got worse. Then it got to the point where I couldn’t breathe at all when walking up a flight of stairs.”
He revealed that one day, the difficulty breathing became “so severe” that he ended up in hospital. He was diagnosed with a severe lung infection and doctors suggested that vaping was the likely cause, David said.
The tutor explained that recovering from the infection was “difficult” as he had to take medication, avoid vaping completely, and rebuild his lung health through breathing and moderate exercise. David said the acute symptoms have now passed, however he still feels that his lung capacity is lower than it used to be before he took up vaping.
He said: “It was difficult to recover from the infection. I did exactly what doctors recommended, taking medication as directed and not trying another vape. I also rebuilt my lung health through breathing and moderate exercise. Thankfully, the acute symptoms have passed, although I do continue to feel that my lung capacity is lower than it used to be. For example, years later I get winded more easily than before.”
David has now sent a message to people who are thinking of taking up vaping, saying that even though the risks aren’t immediately apparent, the potential harm to your lungs and overall health “isn’t worth it.” He also warned about how addictive vapes can be because of their nicotine content.
He said: “If someone were thinking of getting started, I would say think again. Even though the risks aren’t immediately apparent, the potential harm to your lungs and overall health isn’t worth it. It’s easy to get caught up in the taste or the social element, but the effects on your body can be lasting and even permanent.
“I believe the two biggest problems with vaping are people aren’t aware of the dangers and they’re selling vaping as a ‘safe’ option to smoking. It’s particularly so in terms of how convenient and appealing it is for young people. Nicotine’s addictive qualities are not changed when vaporised.”
Looking back at the time he decided to begin vaping, David said he wishes he had found healthier ways to quit smoking such as support groups or nicotine replacement therapies. He concluded: “If I could go back in time, I would never have started vaping. I would have done better finding healthier ways to quit smoking, such as support groups or nicotine replacement therapies, rather than experimenting with vaping.”
It is estimated that 11 per cent of adults in Britain – about 5.6 million people – vape. According to data released by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in August, more than half (53 per cent) of current vapers are ex-smokers. And more than half of ex-smokers who quit in the last five years say they used a vape in their last quit attempt.
The main issues caused by vaping include problems to your heart and lungs – and nicotine, being an addictive and toxic substance, can raise your blood pressure and spike your adrenaline, increasing your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack, explains John Hopkins Medicine. A study by the National Institute of Health also revealed that vaping can cause immediate side effects like nausea, chest pain, and heart palpitations.
Long-term consequences include lung damage and cell death, cardiovascular stress, and significant addiction risks that can potentially lead to conditions such as COPD, asthma and lung infections. The NHS has also reported on the harm they can have on younger people due to the developing brain being more susceptible to the addictiveness of nicotine.
Numerous studies conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have also shown that vaping can lead to deficiencies in vitamin D which can cause hair loss, fatigue and anxiety, as well as malabsorption of minerals like iron which can lead to anaemia, causing pale or yellow skin, shortness of breath or chest pain and brittle nails. If you currently vape, it’s particularly important to self test for these deficiencies to stay on top of your health, especially at a time when Brits are experiencing record high wait times for NHS appointments, said Frederick Manduca, a co-founder of Newfoundland Diagnostics. The company offers easy-to-use at-home health tests for Iron Deficiency (£7.99) and Vitamin D Deficiency (£7.99), allowing you to get results in as little as five to ten minutes.
Frederick told The Mirror: “There’s no right or wrong way to quit vaping, but supporting yourself is key. Nicorette suggests starting by identifying your reasons for quitting, preparing in advance, setting a stop date, and sticking to it. They also recommend responsibly disposing of vapes, as well as avoiding situations that will trigger your urge to vape (when you can).” Some ways to avoid a relapse could be trying stress-reducing activities like meditation, exercise or going on long walks. Nicorette also recommends keeping a water bottle or chewing gum close by when you feel tempted to vape and focus on the positive aspects of stopping – and why you wanted to stop in the first place.
During this Christmas, you may be tempted to gift vapes to someone who is trying to stop smoking, but health experts urge people to think twice about it – and look for healthier alternatives that won’t cause further health damages in the long term. Lester Morse, founder and director of Rehabs UK, a confidential addition recovery support service, urged people to “think twice” before gifting a vape this year.
He told The Mirror: “Many people believe that vaping is less bad than smoking as a result of clever marketing, which specifically targets teenagers. However, vape companies are just getting the new generation hooked on the same old stuff wrapped in some shiny new packaging.
“While tobacco use has declined steadily due to advertising restrictions and public health campaigns, we are now letting e-cigarette companies get away with blatantly designing these highly addictive substances. Vape shops are literally laid out like sweet shops. Funky colours, fruity flavours, and slick designs, its really no surprise that vapes are seen as a fun Christmas gift.
“What might seem like a fun stocking filler, even as a novelty, could actually introduce your friends or family to a lifelong addiction. Although the idea of gateway drugs is contested, nicotine is known to influence changes in the brain that encourage drug abuse. It is highly concerning that fun packaging and clever product marketing means that some people will be unwrapping vapes this Christmas.
“Some people may even be considering these gifts for teenagers, however, most vapes include nicotine, which is one of the most addictive substances accessible to young people and studies show that nicotine may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. The festive season is about giving joy, not fostering a future of nicotine cravings and I would strongly recommend you think twice before gifting a vape this year.”
Lester said that given the highly addictive nature of nicotine, it can be “very difficult” to quit vaping, with a recent study finding that 74 per cent of vapers fail in their first attempt to quit. Sending a message to anyone hoping to quit vaping in the New Year, Lester said: “Quitting vaping isn’t just about saying it’s going to be your New Years resolution, it’s about building a life where you don’t need to rely on it.
“Start by setting a quit date, removing all vaping products from your space, and finding healthier ways to handle stress or boredom, like exercising or picking up a new hobby. Use resources like nicotine patches or support apps to manage cravings, and lean on friends or support groups for encouragement. Every time you resist the urge to vape, you’re proving to yourself that freedom from addiction is possible which is the greatest victory of all.”
