Dad in Coma After Vaping Nonstop Causes Collapsed Lung

A Father’s Near-Death Experience with Vaping

James Johnson, a 21-year-old father of one, is now warning others about the dangers of vaping after nearly losing his life due to its harmful effects. His story serves as a powerful reminder that what may seem like a harmless habit can have severe and life-threatening consequences.

James was admitted to intensive care when he suddenly began vomiting blood. He had been in a coma for two weeks, battling bilateral pneumonia caused by chemicals from his vapes entering his lungs. The condition left his lungs filled with pus, leading to a life-threatening situation that required immediate medical attention.

During his time as a bouncer at a nightclub, James used a £12 IVG 2400 vape during long shifts. He described it as something to do during the long hours, with one vape lasting only two days. This constant use led to serious health complications that ultimately put his life at risk.

After spending two weeks in a coma, James spent an additional three months in the hospital dealing with a collapsed lung. Though he has since recovered and is back on the mend, doctors have warned him that continuing to vape could lead to his death before he turns 40.

His experience comes at a time when awareness around the dangers of vaping is growing, especially following the passing of Hollyoaks star Paul Danan at the age of 46. Danan had recently spoken out about his battle with respiratory failure linked to his “obsessive” vape usage. James hopes to raise awareness about the risks associated with vaping and encourage others to think critically about their habits.

As a youth support worker from Blackpool, Lancashire, James emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks before engaging in any form of smoking or vaping. He said, “Having a vape is not worth your life. Read up about what you are smoking before you smoke it. Don’t think that because of your age, that it won’t happen to you.”

At just 20 years old, James nearly lost his life due to vaping. He reflects on how quickly things can change and how important it is to take care of one’s body. “If I go back to vaping or smoking or I don’t look after my body, then I won’t make it past 40,” he said. “To be honest, I’m glad I found out now because it could have happened in 10 or 20 years and my body wouldn’t have been fit enough to survive it.”

James started using vapes in 2023 as a way to pass the time during his long shifts. He worked 17-hour days and would constantly vape to stay awake. “It’s not spoken about the problems of vaping – it’s brushed off,” he said.

In May 2024, everything changed when he suddenly began throwing up blood one evening. The next thing he remembered was waking up from a coma after his heart had stopped. At the time, he didn’t even recognize his partner, Charlotte, 24, or their daughter, Harper-Mai, who was just one year old.

Doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia and discovered that the chemicals from his vapes had entered his lungs, causing severe damage. James recalls the emotional strain of being in the hospital and the difficulty of waking up from a coma. “They kept telling my partner that it was touch and go. It was very mentally straining in hospital but the first couple of weeks, I didn’t know I was there. I couldn’t walk for the first couple of weeks and it was even worse because I was awake and couldn’t talk, walk or eat.”

Despite the challenges, James has made a remarkable recovery. Although he now has only one working lung, he has been able to regain his independence and return to a normal life. “There’s not many people who survive pneumonia, but luckily I was young and I was able to pull through,” he said. “A lot of people can live with one lung, but it’s about how I make different life choices.”

James hopes to continue raising awareness about the dangers of vaping and the importance of making healthy choices. “People don’t realise the complications,” he said. “I feel like if I do everything right and look after my body in the right way, then I should be okay.”