Daijiworld Media Network – Nevada (USA)

Nevada, Apr 12: In what serves as a grim warning to young vapers across the United States, a 17-year-old cheerleader from Nevada has been diagnosed with a rare and irreversible lung disease known as popcorn lung, medically termed bronchiolitis obliterans. The condition, believed to have been caused by prolonged vaping, has once again cast a spotlight on the growing health crisis associated with e-cigarette use among teenagers.

Brianne Cullen, who had been vaping secretly since the age of 14, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing sudden breathlessness during cheerleading practice. She had called her mother in a panic, struggling to breathe a moment her family says changed everything.

Doctors diagnosed Cullen with bronchiolitis obliterans, a progressive disease that damages the small airways of the lungs. "It took a deadly diagnosis for her to stop," her mother told The Daily Mail, adding that Cullen had started vaping to cope with the anxiety of returning to school after the long COVID-19 lockdown.

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), the condition earned the nickname popcorn lung after it was first observed in workers at microwave popcorn factories who were exposed to diacetyl an artificial butter flavouring. While diacetyl has since been banned in many products, the ALA warns that substances such as acetaldehyde, found in vape smoke, can similarly contribute to the disease.

The symptoms of popcorn lung include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing, and fatigue all signs that Brianne Cullen began to display before her diagnosis. While her prognosis remains optimistic due to early detection, her mother admitted, “Popcorn lung is irreversible and can cause further complications like cancer in the future.”

Currently, Cullen is dependent on an inhaler to regulate her breathing and prevent flare-ups.

The ALA also highlighted a concerning study from Harvard researchers, which found that 39 out of 51 tested e-cigarette brands contained diacetyl a substance known to damage lung tissue. Often added to sweet vape flavours like vanilla, maple, and coconut, the chemical is just one of many potentially harmful agents present in e-cigarette vapour.

Bronchiolitis obliterans affects the bronchioles the tiniest air passages in the lungs by causing inflammation, scarring, and permanent narrowing, which blocks airflow. Other symptoms may include fever, skin rashes, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.

As vaping continues to rise among American teens, especially post-pandemic, cases like Brianne Cullen’s are being seen as stark reminders of the hidden dangers. Health officials and advocacy groups have renewed calls for stricter regulations on e-cigarette products and better education for young users.

“It's a wake-up call for families, schools, and lawmakers,” one ALA spokesperson noted. “We’re seeing the consequences of ignoring the science and it’s the youth who are paying the price.”