Popcorn Lung vs. Lung Cancer: Understanding the Critical Differences (and Why It Matters) Popcorn lung. Vaping lung injury. Lets stop confusing the two., Popcorn lung is the lazy name for bronchiolitis obliteransa disease of the small airways, not the alveoli. , It got its name from Vaping Linked to Permanent Lung Damage Ashok Yadav posted on the topic LinkedIn Experts warn that flavored e cigarettes can cause irreversible lung damage, as seen in a U.S. teenager who developed "popcorn lung"a severe and permanent condition called bronchiolitis obliteransafter secretly vaping for three years. Popcorn lung. Vaping lung injury. Let's stop confusing the two. Popcorn lung is the lazy name for bronchiolitis obliteransa disease of the small airways, not the alveoli. It got its name from What Are Some Common Risks for Vaping?