#NEWS - Medical professionals are sounding the alarm about a serious and potentially permanent lung condition increasingly linked to vaping. Commonly referred to as “popcorn lung,” or bronchiolitis obliterans, the disease damages the smallest airways in the lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath that can worsen over time. The nickname “popcorn lung” originated from cases reported in workers at microwave popcorn factories who were exposed to the chemical diacetyl—once commonly used to create buttery flavors. Although diacetyl has been banned in some products, studies have found it in certain flavored e-cigarettes and vape liquids. Experts warn that long-term inhalation of these substances can cause lasting harm to the lungs. Unlike other lung issues that may improve with treatment, popcorn lung is irreversible and has no known cure—only symptom management. Public health officials are urging vapers, especially young people, to reconsider their use of e-cigarettes, as research continues to uncover the long-term effects of inhaling vaporized chemicals. “This is not just harmless water vapor,” one pulmonologist said. “We’re seeing real, permanent damage in otherwise healthy individuals.”