A TEENAGER has been warded at Labuan Nucleus Hospital with severe lung damage linked to vaping, in the first such case reported on the island.

Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari, in a statement to Bernama today, said an investigation into the cause of the 17-year-old’s illness is ongoing.

“The teen was admitted to hospital on November 4 after experiencing breathing difficulties… he has asthma, and was treated in the intensive care unit.

“While in the ICU, he was found to have a lung injury, apart from displaying symptoms of rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.”

Dr Ismuni said the patient had been vaping for two weeks before being hospitalised.

“Our investigation revealed that the teen’s severe lung damage… could be due to an autoimmune disease triggered by chemical exposure, or vaping.”

He urged people against speculating on the case.

It was reported today that the Health Ministry is mulling a ban on e-cigarettes, which are increasingly popular among youth. – Bernama, November 8, 2019.