Hannah Roth, a 30-year-old woman, found herself experiencing severe lung inflammation after using e-cigarettes for a period of time. Her doctor described her lungs as looking like “fried chicken wings.” Roth had started smoking e-cigarettes during the Covid-19 pandemic to cope with stress and soon developed symptoms of addiction as she used the product almost daily, sometimes hourly.
One day, while working as a receptionist, Roth began feeling unwell with chills, a popping sensation in her chest, and a high fever. A visit to the emergency room revealed that her lung function was equivalent to that of an 80-year-old or a long-time smoker. The doctor informed her that her pneumonia was a result of smoking e-cigarettes and warned that continuing would be life-threatening. Roth was shocked by the impact the habit had on her health, experiencing symptoms like dry mouth, dry throat, difficulty breathing, headaches, and nausea.
After receiving the grim diagnosis, Roth made the decision to quit smoking e-cigarettes. Despite cravings, she found chewing gum helpful in overcoming the addiction. The doctor assured her that her lungs would heal if she stopped smoking. In December 2023, the World Health Organization called for a ban on flavored e-cigarettes due to their harmful effects on health. While e-cigarettes may not cause cancer like traditional cigarettes, they still pose risks, especially for non-smokers, children
