British teen nearly dies from vaping, left with permanently damaged lungs

After six months of vaping, the teen was left with the lungs of a lifelong smoker. Photo / Supplied

A teenager who was on his deathbed after vaping for six months says he has been left with the lungs of an 80-year-old smoker.

Ewan Fisher spent weeks in intensive care when he was 16, after his lungs failed the night before his final high school exams.

He spent 10 weeks fighting for his life in hospital, The Sun reports.

Ewan needed an artificial lung in order to survive in hospital.

Now, aged 19, he has the lungs of an 80-year-old lifelong smoker and wants others to be aware of the risks of vaping.

The teen, who was an aspiring boxer, says he took up vaping to help him stop smoking and to boost his fitness.

He used to practise boxing but now struggles to go up a flight of stairs and says his 65-year-old grandfather is fitter than him.

He's also put on 31kg since going to the hospital at 16.

The teen, from Nottingham, UK, says the ordeal is also to blame for mental health issues.

The teen says his grandfather is now fitter than him. Photo / Facebook

"I wouldn't even say they're at 60 per cent," Ewan said, referring to his lungs.

"I used to be really healthy. I used to run every night and I can't do anything any more. When it's hot it messes with my lungs. I'm on steroids to help them cope."

"My life's changed massively," he said. "When I was in hospital they said I had the lungs of an 80-year-old lifelong smoker and I'd only vaped for five or six months."

His family has released photos showing his time in intensive care in hospital.

He now travels around the UK talking to children about he dangers of vaping. He's had to give up his professional boxing dreams and is now hoping to train towards becoming an accountant.

His family released photos showing him in intensive care. Photo / Supplied

He says the flavours make vaping particularly attractive to teens.

"When I went into the hospital they took my vape and I was vaping blue flush (blackberry flavour) and I had a rhubarb and custard one too.

"It's that sort of stuff that got me addicted. Those sweet flavours are addictive and they entice young people."