I took up vaping thinking it was healthier than smoking – now I’m being suffocated to death

A WOMAN has been diagnosed with a deadly lung condition after vaping for just one year.

Lucy Turchin, 35, from California, US, developed pneumonitis after vaping nicotine and cannabis e-cigarettes.

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The life-threatening condition, which causes severe inflammation of the the lungs, left the personal trainer feeling as if she was "suffocating" for nine long months.

She is now forced to wear a face mask in public at all times to avoid inhaling irritants and chemicals.

"It has been an absolute nightmare," she told . "This is an earth-shattering diagnosis."

Lucy first started vaping after overcoming a 12-year heroin addiction - and said she believed it was a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes.

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But within just months of picking up the habit, the social media sensation started struggling to breathe, suffering an intense burning and discomfort in her throat.

She gave up vaping and her symptoms subsided within six months.

However, she soon picked up vaping again and her symptoms returned with a vengeance.

Vaping has risen rapidly over the past decade to reach record levels in the UK with an estimated 4.3million people regularly using e-cigarettes, according to a report.

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The habit is widely recognised as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.

However, recent data revealed that soaring numbers of people need treatment for breathing issues caused by vaping.

Researchers in California said popular e-cigarettes could "trigger dangerous damage to brain and heart".

It was also suggested that vaping is as bad as cigarettes for reducing blood vessel function.

Tests revealed Lucy was suffered from pneumonitis, which soon developed into hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a chronic form of the condition that is progressive and can cause lasting lung damage.

It's usually triggered by breathing in an irritant, including mould.

have found e-cigarettes and vaping to be associated with the condition.

Though her condition is incurable, Lucy said that she is now dedicating to spreading awareness about the dangers of vaping. 

"I'm gonna survive this because I have important work to do," she said.