17-year-old Gets His Jaws and Teeth Shattered in a Vape Pen Explosion : The Hearty Soul

A young teen named Austin from Ely, Nevada, turned to vaping to kick his cigarette addiction, believing it to be a safer alternative. However, a horrific accident involving his vape pen left him with severe injuries. The incident, detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, serves as a warning about the dangers of vape pen use. Austin’s mom described the explosion as similar to that of a circuit breaker, resulting in significant facial injuries that required treatment at a specialized children’s hospital. Doctors compared the injuries to a close-range gunshot wound, highlighting the severity of the damage caused by the vape pen explosion. After undergoing multiple procedures to repair his shattered jaw and broken teeth, Austin has since recovered and is determined never to use vape pens again. His story sheds light on the risks associated with vaping, especially among teens who may not be fully aware of the potential dangers. The incident underscores the importance of handling vape pens safely to prevent similar accidents.