Recent findings from researchers at the University of New South Wales have reignited concerns over the safety of vaping, suggesting a substantial association between e-cigarette use and an elevated risk of lung and oral cancer. As public health experts urge swift regulatory measures, the study highlights alarming biological changes in the body that may serve as precursors to cancer.
Alarming Biological Changes Detected
The comprehensive review, published in the journal *Carcinogenesis*, synthesises data from animal studies, human case reports, and laboratory analyses conducted between 2017 and 2025. The researchers identified early warning signs of cancer risk related to vaping, including notable DNA damage and inflammation. Co-author Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart remarked, “There is no doubt that the cells and tissues of the oral cavity and lungs are altered by inhalation from e-cigarettes.”
While the modern e-cigarette was introduced in the early 2000s, the lack of extensive long-term studies has hindered a definitive understanding of the risks associated with vaping. Many individuals who vape also smoke traditional cigarettes, complicating the ability to isolate the effects of e-cigarette use alone.
Insights from Case Reports and Animal Studies
The researchers did not quantify how many vapers might develop cancer, but instead focused on the biological changes linked to cancer development. The review included 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 indicated that mice exposed to e-cigarette vapour exhibited a higher rate of lung tumours compared to their unexposed counterparts, although the direct applicability of these findings to humans remains uncertain.
“Based on all of that knowledge, we determined e-cigarettes are likely to cause lung cancer and oral cancer, though we cannot say how great that burden will be,” Stewart stated.
The Need for Proactive Regulation
Lead author Associate Professor Freddy Sitas drew parallels between current vaping research and the historical context of smoking, noting that it took decades for the US Surgeon General to officially acknowledge smoking as a cause of lung cancer in 1964. He stressed the importance of addressing emerging evidence promptly, warning against complacency that could mirror past oversights in public health.
Calvin Cochran, a research fellow at the University of Otago, emphasised the necessity for policymakers to heed the findings of such studies. “Every study like this should be considered seriously by policymakers, governments, and health organisations. We risk repeating the same fate with vaping if we don’t take emerging research and warning signs seriously,” he cautioned.
A Call for Comprehensive Public Health Strategies
Despite the ongoing debate over vaping’s relative safety compared to smoking, the researchers insist on the need for immediate action. “We’ve always assumed that vapes are safer than cigarettes, but what we’re showing is that they might not be safe after all,” Sitas remarked. He highlighted the lack of effective cessation strategies specifically for vaping, contrasting it with the established methods available for quitting smoking.
Professor Stephen Duffy from Queen Mary University London suggested that while vaping carries risks, it does not involve exposure to the combustion products found in traditional smoking, which are known to have severe carcinogenic effects. However, Stewart countered that assessing vaping health risks should not solely rely on comparisons with smoking but also consider its potential to cause cancer independently.
Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney added that this study is significant in asserting that vaping likely increases cancer risk compared to non-vapers, particularly for young people who have never smoked. She supports the Australian approach to tightly regulate vape access, allowing usage solely for those attempting to quit smoking.
Why it Matters
The implications of this research extend far beyond individual health; they highlight a pressing public health crisis. As vaping continues to rise in popularity, particularly among youth, the potential for increased cancer risk poses a significant threat that demands immediate regulatory attention. Understanding the biological mechanisms by which vaping may lead to cancer is essential in shaping effective public health strategies and safeguarding future generations from the potential consequences of e-cigarette use. It is crucial that governments and health bodies act decisively to address this emerging risk, ensuring that public health prioritises evidence-based policies over assumptions about the safety of vaping.
