A 12-year-old girl from Belfast who suffered a lung collapse and spent four days in an induced coma has urged children never to start vaping. Sarah Griffin, who had asthma and was a heavy vaper, was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties a month ago.
Her mother Mary told the BBC she feared she would lose her daughter. Sarah had been hiding vapes from her mum, cutting holes in the carpet to conceal them, and was getting through a 4,000-puff vape in just a few days. Despite the legal age for buying vapes being 18, she purchased them over the counter.
Sarah's asthma and poor use of her preventative inhaler, combined with a head cold, created what her doctor called a 'perfect storm'. Dr Dara O'Donoghue, consultant respiratory paediatrician at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, described youth vaping as 'a healthcare emergency' that must be addressed urgently.
After four days in intensive care, Sarah was gradually brought round but has permanent lung damage. She now does breathing exercises typically expected of an 80-year-old. Sarah said: 'Don't start doing it, because once you start doing it, you don't stop until it's a life or death situation.'
The UK government has announced plans to restrict the marketing and sale of vapes targeted at children. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the proposals would make vapes less colourful and appealing. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said immediate legislative action would follow a consultation, while shadow health secretary Wes Streeting vowed to come down 'like a tonne of bricks' on vaping companies.
