Vapes and Popcorn Lungs: A Doctor's Honest Take on E Cigarettes Experts show that flavored e cigarettes 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, the Popcorn lung" is the nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans. It is a condition that damages your lungs' smallest airways and makes you cough and feel short of breath. It's sometimes caused by breathing Lungs After Smoking: Understanding Popcorn Lung from Vaping