Lola Young has opened up about the effects she says years of vaping are having on her breathing. In a TikTok video posted Sept. 30, the 25-year-old singer said she had previously dismissed a warning that she would eventually notice the effects of vaping, but now feels that the predicted moment has arrived.
Young recalled being told that she might wake up at 25 or 26 and begin feeling the effects of vaping. She said she initially rejected the idea, but described her current experience by saying, “My lungs feel like they’re battery powered, like they’re just one big battery, and breathing feels like a chore.”
The “Messy” singer went on to describe breathing as “hard work” and joked that she should be paid £30 an hour simply for doing it. She captioned the TikTok, “spoken word 4 ya,” while discussing the issue in a lighthearted manner.
Young also addressed whether she plans to stop vaping. In the video, she said she would “try to quit when I’m 45,” indicating that she does not currently intend to give up the habit.
The comments come as Young continues to speak publicly about her health and recovery. She previously took time away from performing after collapsing onstage during the All Things Go Music Festival in New York in September 2025. She later discussed entering recovery and returning to music following the incident.
Young returned to live performances in 2026 and performed at events including the Reading Festival in August. Her latest comments about vaping come during a period in which she has continued promoting her music and appearing onstage.
Her remarks have also drawn attention to the relationship between breathing and singing. BBC Newsbeat spoke with vocal coach Lizzii Hills, who said vaping can affect the lungs, airways and throat and that breathing difficulties can make vocal performance more demanding.
Young’s comments arrive shortly after a review by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health examined more than 80 studies on vaping and health. The review found associations between vaping and respiratory symptoms including coughing and wheezing, while researchers noted that the long-term effects remain an area of ongoing study.
