Health Risks of Vaping: Electronic Cigarettes Now and Later Alabama Cooperative Extension System Ontario teen's vaping injury consistent with 'popcorn lung,' study suggests CBC News Health experts are sounding the alarm about a serious condition linked to vaping, known as "popcorn lung" or bronchiolitis obliterans. This irreversible lung disease is caused by harmful chemicals, like diacetyl, found Experts say that flavored e cigarettes can cause irreversible lung damage. A U.S. teen developed "popcorn lung" after secretly vaping for 3 years a permanent, life altering disease. Officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans,