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Recent research led by the University of New South Wales has uncovered alarming evidence that vaping may significantly heighten the risk of developing lung and oral cancers. This comprehensive review highlights early biological markers of cancer linked to e-cigarette usage, including DNA damage and inflammation, urging policymakers to intervene before a long-term health crisis unfolds.
Vaping and Its Potential Link to Cancer
The findings, detailed in a study published in the journal *Carcinogenesis*, represent one of the most thorough evaluations of vaping’s carcinogenic potential to date. Researchers synthesised data from a wide range of sources, including animal studies and human case reports, spanning publications from 2017 to 2025. The review sought not only to assess the incidence of cancer among vapers but to identify the biological changes that precede the disease.
Co-author Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart emphasised that inhalation of e-cigarette vapour alters the cells and tissues within the oral cavity and lungs. Although definitive long-term data is lacking—given that modern e-cigarettes were introduced in the early 2000s—this study provides critical insights into the immediate biological consequences of vaping, which are often overlooked in favour of its perceived safety compared to traditional smoking.
Evidence from Case Reports and Animal Studies
The review included several case reports from dental professionals who observed instances of oral cancer in individuals who had exclusively vaped, without a history of smoking. Additionally, animal studies revealed that mice exposed to e-cigarette vapour exhibited a higher incidence of lung tumours than their unexposed counterparts. Although such findings do not directly translate to humans, they raise significant concerns about the potential risks associated with e-cigarette use.
Professor Stewart stated, “On the basis of all of that knowledge…the evidence suggests e-cigarettes are likely to cause lung and oral cancer, though the extent of that burden is still uncertain.” This ambiguity underscores the necessity for further research, particularly as many vapers are also smokers, complicating the differentiation of vaping’s unique health effects.
The Urgency for Regulatory Action
Epidemiologist Associate Professor Freddy Sitas highlighted the historical context, noting that it took a century for the link between smoking and lung cancer to be officially acknowledged by the US Surgeon General in 1964. He warned that neglecting the emerging data on vaping could lead to a similar oversight, ultimately jeopardising public health.
Calvin Cochran, a research fellow from the University of Otago, pointed out that nearly 8,000 studies were reviewed to reach the current conclusions. He implored policymakers and health organisations to take these findings seriously, cautioning that definitive results regarding the cancer risks of vaping may still be decades away.
While acknowledging the historical benefit of doubt previously extended to smoking, Sitas cautioned against applying the same leniency to vaping, given the compelling evidence of its carcinogenic potential.
A Misconception of Safety
Many individuals have long assumed that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. This study challenges that notion, suggesting that e-cigarettes may not be as innocuous as previously believed. “What we’re showing is that they might not be safe after all,” Sitas remarked, stressing the urgent need for regulations to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Professor Stephen Duffy from Queen Mary University London noted that while it may be premature to equate the harms of vaping directly with those of smoking—due to the absence of combustion-related carcinogens in e-cigarettes—the potential for cancer risk should not be dismissed.
Professor Becky Freeman, a tobacco control researcher at the University of Sydney, reinforced the study’s conclusions, stating that it is the first to assert an increased cancer risk for vapers compared to non-vapers. She further advocated for stringent regulations to limit access to vaping products, particularly for young people who have never smoked.
Why it Matters
The implications of this research are profound, urging immediate reassessment of vaping’s role in public health. As vaping becomes increasingly popular, particularly among adolescents, the potential for a significant health crisis looms on the horizon. Policymakers must act swiftly to mitigate these risks, ensuring that vaping does not become a new public health epidemic akin to the one caused by tobacco smoking. The need for comprehensive regulations, informed by robust scientific evidence, is more urgent than ever if we are to protect future generations from the hidden dangers of e-cigarettes.
