Blowing smoke: 12 year old girl fights for life after two years vaping
A 12 year old girl in Buriram is fighting for her life after vaping for two years, causing almost 100% damage to her lungs. Her family had no idea about her dangerous habit until they were informed by her school, highlighting the growing crisis of youth vaping in Thailand.
The shocking revelation came when teachers at her school in Don Mon subdistrict, Satuek district, informed her grandmother, Ae, about her severe lung condition.
“I was completely unaware. She was always a diligent student, but she changed after starting Grade 4.”
Ae added that her granddaughter became distant, stopped helping around the house, and frequently left home, claiming to study with friends.
The girl was admitted to Satuek Hospital after experiencing severe shortness of breath, vomiting, and extreme weakness. Medical examinations revealed that her lungs were almost completely damaged due to prolonged vaping, and she is now in critical condition on a ventilator.
The girl’s case was first made public by local rescue worker Paphawarin Simlakorn, who posted a warning on
Facebook urging parents to be vigilant about their children’s vaping habits. Paphawarin revealed that he had recently transported three other students—a fifth grader, a sixth grader, and an eighth grader—to hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain, all linked to vaping.
This incident is part of a worrying trend in the region.
In January, a 15 year old student from the same area died from complications related to long-term e-cigarette use. Local police urge parents to closely monitor their children as youth vaping continues to rise, reported The Nation.
Health officials are calling for stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and increased awareness campaigns to educate parents and children about the dangers of vaping.
With the girl’s life hanging in the balance, her story serves as a stark warning about the severe health risks associated with underage vaping.
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