A 20-year-old Wisconsin woman, Karlee Ozkurt, who describes herself as a vaping addict, is calling for e-cigarettes to be banned after experiencing serious health issues. She suffered two collapsed right lungs and permanent scarring, leading her to speak out about the dangers of vaping. Ozkurt admits that she initially started vaping in high school to fit in and thought it was a safer alternative to smoking. However, she quickly became addicted to the nicotine buzz and ended up vaping excessively.
Despite experiencing pain and discomfort in her lungs early on, Ozkurt continued vaping to appear cool and fit in with her peers. She was introduced to vaping by older friends at the age of 15 and soon became dependent on the habit. Over time, she found herself needing to vape more frequently to maintain the desired feeling of relaxation and stress relief. Ozkurt began using a disposable vape device daily to achieve the desired effect, which eventually led to her hospitalization.
In November 2021, Ozkurt’s right lung collapsed while she was vaping at work. Initially mistaking the pain for a muscle strain, she was later rushed to the emergency room when she started experiencing difficulty breathing. Doctors uncovered that her lung had collapsed by 50%, which required manual inflation. Despite being urged to quit vaping to prevent further incidents, Ozkurt returned to the habit after a short period of abstinence.
Unfortunately, Ozkurt’s lung collapsed again in November 2022 after battling a severe chest cold for months. This time, she underwent surgery to fuse her lung to her chest wall, revealing significant scarring attributed to vaping. Concerned about the long-term health consequences of vaping, Ozkurt decided to quit for good in February 2023. She acknowledges the addiction and withdrawal symptoms associated with vaping but is determined to stay vape-free.
Now committed to raising awareness about the dangers of vaping, Ozkurt hopes to discourage others from picking up the habit. She emphasizes the addictive nature of vaping and the potential for severe health issues, urging young people not to start. Despite her own struggles and health complications, Ozkurt is determined to share her story to prevent others from making the same mistakes. She now worries about the unknown long-term effects of her vaping habit and hopes her experience serves as a cautionary tale for those considering using e-cigarettes.
