Belfast Mother Shares Heart-Wrenching Ordeal of Daughter’s Vaping-Related Health Crisis

A Belfast mother has spoken of her heart-wrenching ordeal as she watched her 12-year-old daughter, Sarah Griffin, being placed in an induced coma after being rushed to the hospital due to complications from vaping. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with underage vaping.

Mary Griffin recounted the terrifying experience that unfolded on a fateful Sunday night when her daughter’s health suddenly took a severe turn. Sarah had been suffering from asthma, and her family initially attributed her discomfort to seasonal triggers.

“It was a Sunday night, Sarah was getting ready for bed and said she didn’t feel great. She started coughing, but because Sarah has asthma, we put that down to the change in weather as that has been a trigger for Sarah’s asthma before,” Mary Griffin recalled.

According to reports by Daily Mail on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Despite Sarah’s familiar asthma symptoms, her condition quickly escalated. Mary continued, “Her cough was no different from any other time, and she used her inhaler and nebulizer throughout the Sunday night into Monday morning.”

The following morning, as Mary was preparing to take her other two children to school, Sarah made a distressing call. “That morning I was taking my other two children to school when Sarah rang and said, ‘Come back mummy, I don’t feel well, I’m afraid.’ I got home and gave Sarah her inhaler and nebulizer again, and she seemed to settle. A while later, I popped out to the shop quickly, and Sarah rang again, this time completely out of breath, barely able to string a sentence together, saying, ‘I need a doctor or to go to the hospital.'”

Panicked by her daughter’s deteriorating condition, Mary immediately rushed Sarah to the hospital. Medical professionals quickly assessed the young girl and discovered that one of her lungs was badly injured, while the other was adversely affected by her pre-existing asthma. The severity of Sarah’s condition necessitated placing her in an induced coma to provide her with the best chance of recovery.

Sarah’s ordeal is a stark reminder of the health risks associated with vaping, particularly among young people. While vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, it is not without its own set of dangers, especially for underage individuals.

Experts warn that e-cigarettes can harm lung development, leading to a range of respiratory issues, including breathing difficulties and lung injuries. The exact cause of Sarah’s lung injuries is still under investigation, but her mother’s account underscores the importance of vigilance and education regarding the potential risks of vaping.

As Sarah Griffin continues her battle for recovery, her mother, Mary, hopes that her family’s ordeal can serve as a cautionary tale for parents and young people alike. The incident highlights the importance of open communication about the risks of vaping and the need for further research into the long-term health effects of electronic cigarette use among adolescents.

Sarah’s family and the medical team caring for her are optimistic about her recovery but remain vigilant about her progress. Mary Griffin concluded, “This has been a nightmare come true for our family. We just want Sarah to recover and for other parents and children to be aware of the potential dangers of vaping.”

The case of Sarah Griffin serves as a poignant reminder that protecting our youth from the allure of e-cigarettes should remain a top priority in the ongoing fight against the harmful effects of vaping.