We all know that things like smoking and vaping are not good for our health. The surgeon general requires warnings on cigarettes and e-cigarettes and bars minors from purchasing them in an effort to curb usage. Sadly, plenty of teens and adults ignore the warnings and continue to smoke and vape. One mom took to social media with a sobering warning for other parents after her teenage daughter nearly died from vaping.
Christie Martin explained in a TikTok video that her 17-year-old daughter didn’t feel well but, as a competitive cheerleader, had to go to practice. While there, Brianne Cullen began to have trouble breathing. She called her mother in a panic, and eventually, the family ended up at the emergency room. Martin said going to cheer practice likely saved her daughter’s life.
A doctor revealed to the family that Brianne has “popcorn lung,” a serious disease caused by vaping. Martin said in her TikTok that she constantly warned her daughter about the dangers of vaping and had no idea she’d been using e-cigarettes for three years.
“They told me she should be able to make a full recovery because we caught it so early, but it can also cause problems like cancer in the future,” Martin explained to the Daily Mail. “Smoking takes years to show its effect and your lungs can heal from it, but popcorn lung is irreversible.”
@christiemartin755 Cautionary tale. #vaping ♬ original sound – christie nano
Martin said doctors gave Brianne an inhaler to help her breathe, but the family has no idea what permanent damage she may have.
“We still don’t know if there will be long-term effects,” the mom admitted.
Her video went viral, with more than 19 million views. She turned off commenting because things got very ugly in the comment section. The concerned mother explained in a follow-up video that parents were quick to blame her. Martin was adamant she did not allow Brianne to vape and constantly warned her of the dangers.
Many left positive feedback, like one person who wrote, “Hey! Don’t listen to the negative people. Knowing me being a minor still, that video spoke out to me and gave me a sign to do better for myself and how much of a blessing it is to be healthy.”
Martin told the Daily Mail that vaping is dangerous, and she wants all parents to speak up and warn their children.
“I would urge parents to spread awareness. This is meant to be a cautionary tale to not let your kids vape no matter what,” she said.
