A mother is warning others about the hidden dangers of vaping after her 34-year-old son died suddenly after switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, believing they were safer.
Her son began vaping regularly after giving up a long-term smoking habit. He thought vaping reduced health risks and avoided the smell of cigarettes. Just over a year later, he went to bed one night and never woke up. His family was left shocked, as he had not been seriously ill.
In the hours before his death, he showed worrying signs. He had slurred speech and problems with balance and coordination. At the time, his family did not realise these were warning signs of something serious.
An autopsy later showed his lungs were not badly damaged and there were no signs of so-called “popcorn lung.” Instead, doctors found extremely high levels of nicotine in his body—several times higher than normal. The conclusion was nicotine poisoning, which triggered a sudden cardiac arrest.
His mother says vaping gave her son a false sense of safety. She believes the high nicotine strength in vapes, combined with frequent use, can overwhelm the nervous system and heart without people realising it. She also warns that nicotine in vapes can be more concentrated and addictive than in cigarettes.
Now, she is speaking out to urge stronger regulation and better public awareness. Her message is clear: vaping is not harmless, and the risks go far beyond the lungs.