Teen's Lung Collapsed After Vaping 'Every Waking Minute' to Be Cool
A teenager who began vaping at just 13 years old to emulate his friends has issued a stark warning after his lung collapsed, an ordeal he attributes directly to his habit. Nathan Edmunds, now 19, says he initially took up disposable vapes because he thought it was cool, but the habit quickly spiraled into an addiction that saw him vaping constantly throughout his waking hours.
From Cool Habit to Medical Emergency
Nathan, from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, recalls that vaping became an integral part of his daily routine. He would vape every five minutes, with the device always in his hand or pocket, and only setting it aside when he slept. His favorite flavors included strawberry kiwi and lemon and lime, which he enjoyed from refillable pens after transitioning from disposable options as he grew older.
"I was vaping from the age of 13," Nathan explained. "I thought it was cool and some of my friends were doing it so I picked one up, tried it and it just stuck. I got addicted to it very quickly." He would refill his vape up to three times a day, making it the first thing he did in the morning and the last at night, even placing it on his windowsill while he slept.
The Terrifying Collapse and Hospital Stay
On December 19, 2025, Nathan was jolted awake by severe chest pain around 6 a.m. Rushed to hospital by ambulance, he was diagnosed with a collapsed right lung. Doctors informed him that the condition was likely caused by vaping, which can coat the lungs in oils and lead to such complications.
"My lung collapsed while I was sleeping - that's the scariest part about it," Nathan said. "There were no pain symptoms and no warning. It was just the pain from my lung collapsing woke me up." He spent four days in hospital, where a chest drain was inserted into his lung to remove fluid and help it reinflate. Fortunately, he avoided surgery as the hole healed quickly, but the experience was harrowing.
Immediate Quit and Urgent Warning
Upon learning that vaping was responsible for his hospital admission, Nathan immediately discarded his vape. "I stopped vaping completely after this happened," he stated. "I packed it all in straight away. When I got told, I chucked it in the bin there and then." Now, nearly two months after quitting, he is urging other teenagers to abandon vaping before facing similar consequences.
"Pack it in before it's too late," Nathan advised. "I said the same that it wouldn't happen to me, but it will. Replace it with something - for me if I ever do get a craving, I'll have a sweet. Chuck it in the bin while you can. It's not worth it, just to have a bit of a fruity flavour in your mouth or have a nicotine rush."
His story highlights the severe health risks associated with vaping, particularly among young people who may perceive it as a harmless trend. Nathan's experience serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that what starts as a cool habit can lead to life-threatening emergencies.
