Arizona Mother’s Lung Crisis Linked to Vaping

An Arizona mother, Kara Mullins, faced a near-fatal health scare due to vaping, which led to severe damage in her lungs. She described her lungs as feeling “crispy” before they ultimately tore.

Having smoked traditional tobacco since she was 16, Mullins, now 49, switched to e-cigarettes after almost three decades. She thought it was a healthier choice. “I knew vaping wasn’t great, but I thought it was better than smoking,” she recalled.

After four years of using e-cigarettes—consuming a pod every two days—she caught the flu from her eight-year-old son last December. What began as minor shortness of breath escalated quickly, and by the end of the month, she was gasping for air.

Her husband, Bear Boykin, rushed her to the hospital, but she couldn’t remember much of what happened afterward. Later, she learned she had been moved to the intensive care unit and was on a ventilator. After spending four days in the hospital, she was placed in a medically induced coma and transferred to a larger facility in Phoenix.

Mullins, who works as a sleep coach, remained unconscious for a week. Doctors informed her husband that her lungs were severely inflamed from the flu. Additionally, they explained that the residue from her vape had made her lungs fragile, which resulted in the tearing that occurred when they expanded to breathe.

“From what I’ve been told, the vape puts a residue on your lungs and makes them crispy, and that’s what caused the damage,” Mullins said.

Due to the inflammation, her doctors noted that the vaping had contributed to the tearing of her lungs, preventing them from functioning normally. She reflected, “Had I not smoked the vape, I wouldn’t have gone through everything I did and have the damage I do now.”

Her experience serves as a cautionary tale, especially since about 6 percent of U.S. adults, around 17 million, vape regularly. The usage is particularly high among young adults aged 18 to 24, with over 15 percent classified as regular users, according to 2024 data from the CDC. Additionally, approximately 1.6 million middle and high school students engage in vaping, though the numbers have dropped since peaking in 2019.

Vaping has often been promoted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, which are linked to the majority of lung cancer cases in the U.S. However, emerging research is raising red flags about potential long-term health issues tied to vaping, including heightened risks of high blood pressure and stroke.

This year, a medical journal detailed the case of a New Jersey man whose aggressive lung cancer was linked directly to his use of e-cigarettes, marking a significant finding in cancer studies.

Vapes create an aerosol by heating liquids typically containing nicotine, flavors, and harmful chemicals. Inhaling these substances can deliver toxins deep into the lungs, potentially leading to DNA damage, inflammation, and an increased risk of cancer over time.

As of now, doctors believe Mullins has likely sustained permanent lung damage. “I have a lot of scar tissue. They need to do further testing, but I already know I have permanent lung damage from it,” she shared.

Upon waking and learning about her ordeal, she felt deep fear for her future. “I was scared I wouldn’t live a normal life again,” she mentioned. After her release from the hospital on January 12, she no longer requires supplemental oxygen, yet she struggles to return to her previous active lifestyle. The time in a coma has also affected her memory and mental clarity.

Mullins expresses concern, noting, “I’m still pretty young and I have an eight-year-old son. My husband and I are usually active and enjoy hiking a lot, but I can’t manage long distances yet. I still experience pain when I breathe deeply.” She has since quit vaping and encourages young individuals to reconsider their choices about this habit.

“I haven’t touched a vape since I was hospitalized. My will to live is much stronger than that,” she affirmed. “I just want people to understand that vaping could lead to permanent damage or even death. Value yourself more than that.”