Family unaware of her vaping habit until school intervention; doctors say her lungs are nearly destroyed.

A young girl in Thailand’s Buri Ram province is in critical condition after doctors discovered extensive lung damage, allegedly caused by two years of vaping.

The 12-year-old was rushed to Satuek Hospital after experiencing severe weakness, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Medical examinations revealed that almost her entire lung capacity had been compromised, leaving her dependent on a ventilator.

Her family, completely unaware of her vaping habit, was only informed after her school intervened. Her grandmother, Ms Ae, expressed shock when teachers disclosed the issue, explaining that her granddaughter had been a diligent student but started exhibiting behavioural changes in Grade 4—often leaving home under the pretext of studying with friends.

Growing Alarm Over Youth Vaping
The girl’s case came to public attention when a local rescue worker, Mr Paphawarin Simlakorn, shared a social media post urging parents to stay vigilant. He revealed that, in recent weeks, he had transported multiple students to the hospital due to vaping-related illnesses, including a fifth, sixth, and eighth grader suffering from chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Authorities are increasingly alarmed by the rise in youth vaping cases in the region. Just last month, a 15-year-old student from the same area reportedly died after prolonged e-cigarette use.

With concerns mounting, health experts and officials are calling for stricter regulations and greater awareness to prevent further tragedies among young users.