A recent comprehensive review conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales has raised significant alarm regarding the potential cancer risks associated with vaping. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes may not be the safer alternative to traditional smoking that many have assumed, revealing early indicators of DNA damage and inflammation in users. This analysis, published in the journal *Carcinogenesis*, calls for urgent attention from regulators to address the health implications before definitive long-term studies can be completed.
Vaping and Cancer: A Closer Look at the Evidence
The systematic review encompasses a wide array of studies, including animal research, human case reports, and laboratory investigations published from 2017 to 2025. Co-author Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart highlighted that the biological changes linked to cancer risk—such as DNA damage—are evident in both the lungs and oral cavity of individuals who vape. While the research does not quantify the exact risk of developing cancer from e-cigarettes, it reveals significant shifts in cellular and tissue health that warrant concern.
Stewart stated unequivocally, “There is no doubt that the cells and tissues of the oral cavity, the mouth and the lungs are altered by inhalation from e-cigarettes.” This assertion is bolstered by case reports from dental professionals who have observed oral cancers in patients who only vape, alongside animal studies indicating a higher incidence of lung tumours in mice exposed to e-cigarette vapour compared to those not exposed.
The Data Landscape: Assessing Risks and Regulations
Despite the alarming findings, researchers caution against drawing immediate conclusions about the long-term cancer risks associated with vaping. The relatively recent introduction of e-cigarettes—only available since the early 2000s—means that longitudinal data from large populations is still lacking. Moreover, many users of e-cigarettes are also smokers, complicating the ability to isolate the effects of vaping alone.
Lead author Associate Professor Freddy Sitas emphasised the historical context of tobacco research, noting that it took a century of accumulating evidence before smoking was definitively linked to lung cancer. “We risk repeating that same fate with vaping if we don’t take emerging research and warning signs seriously,” he warned.
Calvin Cochran, a research fellow at the University of Otago, echoed this sentiment, stating that nearly 8,000 studies were evaluated to arrive at the study’s conclusions. He urged policymakers and health organisations to take these emerging warnings seriously, stressing that definitive evidence linking vaping to specific cancer types is likely years, if not decades, away.
The Need for Urgent Regulatory Action
Health experts are increasingly advocating for proactive measures to regulate vaping products, especially given the absence of conclusive evidence for the safety of e-cigarettes. Sitas noted the need for regulators to consider the full spectrum of evidence available, stating, “It’s not an alternative to smoking … It’s dangerous, and that’s the message.”
While some experts, like Professor Stephen Duffy from Queen Mary University London, caution against equating the dangers of vaping with those of smoking—primarily due to the absence of combustion products in vaping—others stress that the potential for harm must not be overlooked. Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney highlighted the implications for young people, asserting that vaping poses risks even for those who have never smoked.
Freeman advocated for stricter regulations in Australia, particularly the current laws that restrict access to vaping products to pharmacies for those attempting to quit smoking. “Preventing young people from accessing vaping products, while also providing a tightly regulated channel for those using them to quit smoking, is the right approach,” she concluded.
Why it Matters
The emerging evidence linking vaping to significant biological changes associated with cancer underscores an urgent public health concern. As vaping continues to gain popularity, especially among younger demographics, the necessity for comprehensive regulatory frameworks becomes increasingly critical. This research serves as a clarion call for policymakers to act decisively, ensuring that the health of future generations is not jeopardised by a product that could potentially carry severe health risks. The time for action is now, as waiting for conclusive long-term studies could lead to a public health crisis reminiscent of the tobacco epidemic.
