22-year-old shares lung cancer diagnosis linked to vaping and highlights warning signs

A 22-year-old woman from Manchester is raising awareness about the potential dangers of vaping after being diagnosed with a serious lung condition that could affect her life expectancy. Kayley Boda, who began using e-cigarettes as a teenager, is now speaking out to highlight the possible long-term health risks and the importance of recognizing early warning signs.

Health experts have increasingly warned about conditions linked to vaping, including Popcorn Lung, a rare disease that damages the lungs’ small airways. According to the Cleveland Clinic, exposure to harmful chemicals—sometimes found in e-cigarette vapor—may contribute to such illnesses. Boda initially experienced symptoms like unusual mucus, which were treated as a minor infection, but further testing was carried out after she began coughing up blood, eventually leading to a lung cancer diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic notes that persistent coughing, chest pain, and especially coughing up blood are serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

Although she briefly received positive news earlier this year, Boda’s condition later returned, limiting treatment options and underscoring concerns about vaping’s long-term effects. Experts, including Panagis Galiatsatos of the American Lung Association, warn that vaping products can be highly addictive and may pose risks that are not yet fully understood. Boda now hopes her experience will encourage others to make informed choices, stressing that even if the dangers are not immediately visible, the long-term impact on lung health can be severe.