A dire warning about the risks of vaping has emerged after a 16-year-old, Ewan Fisher, was placed on life support due to a severe allergic reaction. Ewan suffered catastrophic respiratory failure in 2017 after developing hypersensitivity pneumonitis—a condition causing inflammation of lung tissue triggered by inhaled substances. Doctors linked the reaction directly to vaping, and Ewan required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a form of life support that oxygenates the blood outside the body.
Ewan’s ordeal began with symptoms of fever and a choking cough before he was rushed to Nottingham University Hospital, where he spent weeks in intensive care. Reflecting on the experience, Ewan revealed how close he came to death, saying, “I almost died,” and described a recovery that took 14 months. His case highlights the potential dangers of allergens in vape liquids, including flavors and ingredients like propylene glycol.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation has raised concerns over secondhand vape smoke causing allergic reactions. Campaigners are pushing for stricter regulations, including mandatory allergen labeling on vape products, which is currently not required.
The NHS reports a worrying increase in vaping among children, with one in four 11 to 15-year-olds admitting to having tried it. Experts are calling for urgent action to address the health risks, as complications from vaping have led to more than 350 hospitalizations in the UK over the past year, including 50 children.
