Passive smoking is real and deadly, warns lung patient

KUALA LUMPUR – A woman has shared her distressing experience as a passive smoker, which led her to undergo a lung drainage procedure four times.

In a 30-second TikTok video, user @VQueen Empire posted a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, connected to an oxygen machine after having her lungs drained, reportedly due to inhaling cigarette smoke passively.

“It’s now going viral that some smokers or vape users end up needing lung drainage. But in my case, I went through this procedure because I was a victim of passive smoking.

“In 2017, my left lung was drained twice, and in 2019, my right lung had to be drained twice as well.

“So, to smokers and vape users, please be cautious. If a life is lost because someone inhales your cigarette smoke or vape vapour, you will be held accountable in the hereafter," she said.

Despite her commitment to healthy eating and avoiding junk food, she clarified that she still suffered because she was frequently around smokers.

“At that time, vaping was not widespread and few people used it,” she added.

Since Tuesday, the video has received over 2.7 million views, with social media users expressing support and sympathy in the comments.

Many have also urged the government to take stronger action against smoking in public places, which endangers others’ health.

Calls have been made for tighter regulation on the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes, which have been linked to serious illnesses and even death.