Camilla Jessen
A man who vaped for almost a decade has issued a warning to others after ending up in hospital.
A 24-year-old man from Buffalo, New York, is advising young people to reconsider vaping after being hospitalized with a serious and potentially life-threatening condition linked to his years-long vaping habit.
Early Exposure to Vaping
Raymond Dehn began vaping at age 15.
He recalls that local stores did not check his ID, making it easy for him to access nicotine and cannabis products at a young age.
Over the years, his habit expanded to include THC cannabis pens, creating a routine that continued for nearly a decade.
Sudden Onset of Pain
On September 13, after a day at work, Dehn was vaping in his car.
He took a hit from his vape and THC pen and immediately experienced a searing pain between his shoulder blades.
“I tried to power through and started walking back to the mall, but the pain grew so rapidly. I was holding in screams. About a minute later… I passed out,” he recounted to Newsner.
Emergency Hospitalization
Dehn was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, where x-rays revealed a collapsed lung, also known as a pneumothorax.
He spent four nights in the hospital, requiring a tube to reinflate his lung.
“I was honestly so shocked. It was terrifying to think I suddenly had a collapsed lung, especially at 24 and otherwise healthy,” he said.
Doctors See a Concerning Pattern
Dehn’s doctor noted that she had seen three or four other young patients in the past six months with similar lung collapses.
While the precise cause was unclear, the common factor among all cases was vaping, suggesting a link between long-term vaping and serious lung injury.
The Hidden Risks of Vaping
Vaping has been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, but medical experts warn that its long-term effects are still not fully understood.
Regular inhalation of nicotine and THC vapor can damage lung tissue, increase susceptibility to infections, and lead to unexpected injuries like collapsed lungs.
“It’s a misconception that vaping is harmless. My experience showed how dangerous it can be—even for someone young and healthy,” Dehn explained.
Recovery and Lingering Fear
Since leaving the hospital, Dehn has stopped vaping completely.
However, he experiences ongoing anxiety that his lung could collapse again.
“Every few minutes, I get this overwhelming fear it’ll happen again. The whole experience is sticking with me in a really big way,” he said.
Advocating for Awareness
Dehn is now speaking out to warn other young people about the risks of vaping.
He hopes that sharing his story will encourage others to reconsider vaping before experiencing similar medical emergencies.
“I want young people to know that vaping is not risk-free. It can seriously harm your health and even put your life in danger,” he said.
Broader Implications for Public Health
Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, prolonged use of vaping devices, particularly those containing THC, can have severe and unexpected consequences.
“Parents and educators need to talk to teens about these risks. The assumption that vaping is harmless is dangerously wrong,” Dehn added.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
