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Vaping Habit Linked to Severe Organ Damage: A Growing Health Crisis for Thailand?

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A recent case from the United States has cast fresh light on the potentially life-threatening risks of vaping, highlighting concerns that are increasingly relevant to Thai health officials and the public. A 39-year-old woman from New York, who believed switching from smoking to vaping would improve her health, was shocked to find herself hospitalized with severe, possibly fatal lung failure just one year after making the change. Her story is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader trend revealed by new research into the health risks associated with e-cigarettes—a habit followed by millions, including a growing number in Thailand.

The woman, a long-term smoker who took up vaping after quitting cigarettes, developed acute pulmonary complications so serious that she could not lie down or perform simple daily tasks. Doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary bullae—large air-filled spaces in the lungs caused by destroyed lung tissue—requiring immediate cessation of vaping and urgent surgery. She described vaping as “100 percent more dangerous than cigarettes,” warning others about the dangers she never anticipated. Her case is emblematic of the risks faced by many who mistakenly believe vaping is a safe alternative to smoking, an assumption that has shaped both public behavior and policy (Dailymail).

Globally, vaping has been lauded by some as a harm-reduction tool for smokers, following early studies suggesting it may be less dangerous than traditional tobacco use, primarily by avoiding the toxins created through combustion (CDC). Yet, more recent research and firsthand experiences paint a far more complex picture. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports at least 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths due to vaping-related lung injury (EVALI) in a single year, with many more cases likely unreported or underdiagnosed. According to the CDC, about 6.5% of US adults—over 16 million people—currently vape, and the trend is particularly pronounced among young people.

Experts warn that risks from vaping are not uniform across all products. Devices not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or similar authorities are particularly dangerous, as they may contain harmful chemicals or additives such as vitamin E acetate, propylene glycol, and other contaminants (Cleveland Clinic). Irish researchers recently identified multiple potentially harmful substances in vape juice, raising concerns about the unknown long-term effects of inhaling flavorings, solvents, and other enhancers (Society of Chemical Industry).

Animal studies add further weight to human case reports. New research reveals that exposure to vapor or smoke leads to activation of inflammatory markers, organ damage, and impaired cellular proliferation in vital tissues (PubMed). While the full spectrum of health effects remains under investigation, evidence increasingly points to vaping being capable of causing short- and long-term injury not only to the lungs, but to many organ systems.

Thailand is no stranger to this crisis. In late 2024, Thai health authorities reported the nation’s first confirmed case of EVALI, involving a young man from Buri Ram who was diagnosed with the vaping-induced lung condition after severe respiratory distress (Bangkok Post). This was followed by further reports of Thai youths experiencing critical illness after using e-cigarettes, some of which had been mixed with other substances like kratom (Bangkok Post). Local clinicians writing for prominent Thai medical journals have called for urgent research and increased awareness, citing observed cases of acute lung injury directly linked to vape cartridge use (Siriraj Medical Journal).

Many e-cigarettes sold in Thailand, as in the U.S., are not approved by any regulatory agency, and illegal street sales targeting youths are increasing. According to the World Health Organization, these products not only threaten the progress Thailand has made in tobacco control but may trigger a resurgence in nicotine addiction among a generation that previously saw declining rates of cigarette use (WHO Thailand).

An official from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control emphasized that while e-cigarettes are sometimes marketed as less harmful than cigarettes, the habit creates opportunities for new forms of addiction, especially among teenagers. “The chemicals in e-cigarette vapor are not benign,” the spokesperson said. “They can cause severe irritation, inflammation, and in extreme cases, catastrophic lung injury. Our experience here confirms that the risks are very real.”

Thai medical experts stress that the lungs are especially vulnerable. The alveoli, or tiny air sacs responsible for oxygen exchange, can become inflamed or ruptured through exposure to the chemicals in vapor, leading to fluid build-up and reduced lung function. In severe cases—like those reported both in the U.S. and Thailand—this can cause the lungs to collapse, repeating the frightening scenario described by the New York patient.

The popularity of flavored vaping products, many of them imported and often unregulated, is a particularly acute challenge in Thailand, where enforcement is complicated by the proliferation of illegal online sales and social media marketing. FDA officials in the U.S. have only approved a limited number of tobacco and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes, with none of the appealing fruity or sweet varieties that attract young people gaining regulatory approval. In contrast, the Thai e-cigarette market is flooded with these types, making regulation and public education all the more critical.

Historically, Thailand has been at the forefront of tobacco control in Southeast Asia, with strict policies that have reduced smoking rates over the past two decades. However, the rapid rise of vaping and the perception that it is risk-free threaten to reverse much of this progress. Culturally, vaping is seen by some Thai adolescents as trendy or modern, echoing Western influences, while parents and schools often lack up-to-date information about the dangers.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of vaping in Thailand hinges on timely public health interventions. Global trends suggest that, without effective regulation and education, vaping-related illnesses are likely to increase, putting further strain on health services and family budgets. New data from New York City and ongoing Thai surveillance projects highlight the importance of long-term monitoring to identify at-risk populations and emerging vaping-related diseases (NYC EVALI follow-up, Bangkok Post).

For Thai readers and families, the message is urgent and clear: there is mounting scientific evidence and firsthand testimony that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, especially given the risks of unapproved or counterfeit products. Public health institutions, doctors, schools, and parents should work together to educate young people and reinforce existing tobacco and vaping bans. Individuals can protect themselves by avoiding all vaping products—especially those of unknown origin—while supporting friends and relatives seeking to quit both smoking and vaping. The story from New York is a stark warning, but it may offer Thai society an opportunity to prevent similar tragedies before they become more widespread.

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making decisions about your health.