The mother of a teenage girl is speaking out after a terrifying health scare pushed her daughter to finally quit vaping—a habit she had secretly kept up for three years. Christine Martin revealed that her daughter, Brianne Cullen, now 17, only stopped after being diagnosed with a serious and potentially life-threatening lung condition.
Brianne started vaping at just 14 years old, a way to cope with the anxiety of returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown, according to The Daily Mail. But earlier this year, after cheerleading practice in January, everything changed.
She called her family in a panic, repeatedly gasping, “I can’t breathe.” Her mother rushed her to the hospital, describing the moment as “the most terrifying thing” she’d ever experienced.
Doctors diagnosed Brianne with bronchiolitis obliterans, more commonly known as “popcorn lung”—a rare and irreversible condition. According to the American Lung Association, the disease earned its nickname after being discovered in workers at popcorn factories who inhaled a chemical called diacetyl, often used as a flavoring. The same harmful compound—along with acetaldehyde—can also be found in vape aerosol.
The condition causes lasting damage to the lungs and is marked by symptoms such as fatigue, wheezing, and breathlessness. “I never imagined hearing that it was popcorn lung,” Christine said. “It’s permanent, and kids have died from it.”
Though Brianne’s doctors were able to catch the condition early, giving her a more hopeful outlook, her mom shared that there could still be long-term consequences. “Popcorn lung doesn’t go away. It could even lead to cancer down the road,” she explained.
Currently, Brianne relies on an inhaler to help her breathe. “We don’t really know what her lung function is now or what the future holds,” Christine admitted. She was also shocked to learn Brianne had been vaping in secret all that time. “I was in her room constantly and never once saw a vape,” she said. “It took a devastating diagnosis for her to finally quit.”
Christine is now urging other parents to stay vigilant. “Kids are walking into vape shops and buying these things like it’s nothing. It’s all about profit,” she said. “I beg parents to be more aware. This should be a wake-up call—never let your child use e-cigarettes.”