“Vapes contain substances used to preserve corpses”: cardiothoracic surgeon warns of lung transplant risk at age 30

Ukrainian cardiothoracic surgeon and director of the Heart Institute Boris Todurov stated on the FEDORIV VLOG broadcast that e-cigarettes cause damage to lung tissue comparable to the consequences of years of traditional smoking, and that their composition includes substances that, in his words, are used to preserve corpses. The doctor emphasized that the consequences of using vapes “can be very serious,” and cited data from his American colleagues indicating that some U.S. clinics are already setting up separate departments for lung transplants in young patients. This material is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.

Substances for preserving corpses in the composition of vapes

The key point of Todurov's statement was the comparison of the composition of e-cigarettes with chemicals used in pathological anatomy practice. “E-cigarettes are even worse, because they contain substances that are used to preserve corpses,” the doctor stated. He added that tobacco smoke and vape aerosols damage not only lung tissue but also the vascular system, which multiplies the risk of oncological diseases: in his words, in people who smoke about ten cigarettes a day, the likelihood of developing lung cancer increases significantly.

Lung transplants in young people in the U.S.

Separately, the cardiothoracic surgeon talked about his recent visit to Boston, where he met with American colleagues. According to him, some U.S. clinics are already creating separate departments for lung transplants in young people whose respiratory systems were destroyed by e-cigarettes. “It damages lung tissue so much — these e-cigarettes, which already require a lung transplant at age 30,” Todurov stated, pointing out that the “aging” of the lungs in vape users occurs several times faster than in non-smokers.

Quitting smoking: willpower matters more than nicotine replacement

Commenting on the question of quitting smoking, the doctor insisted that the key condition is the person's own willpower decision, while nicotine replacement products merely support this process. “Quitting smoking is only a matter of willpower. No patches, nicotine gum, or any kind of substitute — these can support you, but without a willpower decision you will not quit smoking,” Todurov noted. Thus, in his assessment, medical support without internal motivation does not yield a lasting result.

Resonant cases involving vapes in Ukraine

This year, several high-profile incidents involving e-cigarettes have been recorded in Ukraine. In one of them, a vape exploded in a teenager's mouth: the boy lost several teeth, suffered a tear of the lower lip, and a burn of the oral mucosa. Another case occurred in Uzhhorod, where a seven-year-old boy found a vape and used it, after which he was hospitalized in a serious condition. These episodes illustrate not only the chronic but also the acute risk posed by uncertified devices.

The shadow market of e-cigarettes

The problem is compounded by the fact that a significant part of the e-cigarette market in Ukraine is in the shadows. According to a Kantar Ukraine study, the share of illegal products in the e-cigarette category is 93.3%. This means that the overwhelming majority of devices used by consumers have not undergone quality control, and their composition and the concentration of toxic components are effectively unknown to both users and regulators.

Contradictory data

The provided sources contain discrepancies in the qualification of the speaker: in the main text, Boris Todurov is identified as a cardiothoracic surgeon and director of the Heart Institute, whereas in the headline of the RBC-Ukraine article he is called a cardiologist. Moreover, the resonant claim about “substances for preserving corpses” in the composition of vapes is the statement of a single expert and is not supported in this set of sources by an independent chemical analysis of specific devices; the international source (AA) confirms only the general thesis that e-cigarettes damage the lungs and the brain, without specifying the composition. Therefore, the dramatic formulation about corpse preservatives should be perceived as the doctor's opinion, not as a laboratory-established fact.

Attention: this material is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information is intended to familiarize you with possible symptoms, causes, and methods of diagnosing diseases, but it should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of health problems, be sure to consult a qualified doctor.