A recent US case highlights how vaping can pose serious, even life-threatening, health risks. A 39-year-old New York woman, who switched from smoking to vaping, was hospitalized with severe lung failure within a year. Her experience mirrors a broader pattern found in new research on e-cigarettes, a habit adopted by many in Thailand and around the world.
The patient, a long-time smoker who started vaping after quitting cigarettes, developed acute lung complications. She could not lie flat or perform basic tasks, and doctors diagnosed pulmonary bullae—damaged lung tissue that creates large air spaces. Vaping had to stop immediately, and surgery was urgent. She described vaping as “100 percent more dangerous than cigarettes,” warning others about dangers she never anticipated. Experts say this case reflects a common misunderstanding that vaping is a safe alternative, a belief that shapes behaviors and policy.
Globally, vaping has been seen by some as a harm-reduction option because it avoids combustion-related toxins. However, more recent evidence paints a more complex picture. The World Health Organization notes rising vaping-related lung injuries and deaths, while many cases go unreported or undiagnosed. In the United States, data show thousands of hospitalizations and dozens of deaths linked to vaping-related lung injury, with millions of adults currently using e-cigarettes, a trend especially visible among youth. Data from health authorities shows vaping has become a mainstream habit in many societies, including among Thai young people.
Experts warn that risks are not uniform across all products. Devices not approved by regulators can pose serious hazards due to harmful chemicals in vape liquids, including additives that have raised safety concerns. Researchers have identified several potentially dangerous substances in vape liquids, highlighting the uncertain long-term effects of inhaled flavors and solvents.
Animal and human studies alike indicate inflammation, organ stress, and impaired cellular repair after exposure to vapor. While the full health picture is still developing, evidence points to potential short- and long-term injuries beyond the lungs, affecting multiple organ systems.
Thailand has already seen signs of this crisis. In late 2024, health authorities reported the nation’s first confirmed vaping-related lung injury case, involving a young man who experienced severe respiratory distress. Subsequent reports described Thai youths facing critical illness after using e-cigarettes, sometimes alongside other substances. Local clinicians have urged urgent research and heightened awareness about vape-related lung injuries.
Like many markets, Thailand faces challenges with unregulated products and rising illegal sales popular among youths. Public health officials emphasize that only a small number of tobacco-flavored products have regulatory approval, while a wide variety of fruity and sweet flavors remain readily accessible to younger audiences. Public education and strict regulation are essential to counter this trend.
Thailand has long been a leader in tobacco control, with policies that successfully reduced smoking rates. The rapid rise of vaping, and the perception that it is risk-free, threatens to undo progress. Culturally, some Thai youths view vaping as modern or fashionable, and many parents and schools lack up-to-date information about its dangers.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of vaping in Thailand depends on strong public health interventions. Global trends suggest that without effective regulation and education, vaping-related illnesses could rise, placing pressure on health services and families. Ongoing Thai surveillance and international research underscore the need to identify at-risk groups and new vaping-related diseases.
For Thai readers and families, the message is urgent: mounting scientific evidence and firsthand reports indicate vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, particularly with unregulated products. Public health agencies, clinicians, educators, and parents should collaborate to educate youths and reinforce 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 smoking and vaping. The US case serves as a warning and an opportunity for Thai society to prevent similar tragedies through proactive prevention and education.
In-depth information and guidance come from respected health authorities and medical journals. Research from leading hospitals and public health institutions in Thailand and abroad informs ongoing efforts to curb vaping-related harms and protect youth health.