Research from Australian scientists has revealed alarming connections between vaping and an elevated risk of lung and oral cancers. The findings underscore the need for regulators to act swiftly, rather than waiting for conclusive data that could take decades to emerge.
Vaping’s Hidden Dangers
A comprehensive review conducted by a team at the University of New South Wales in Sydney indicates that vaping is likely to induce significant biological changes associated with cancer. The study, published in the journal *Carcinogenesis*, examined a wide array of evidence, including animal studies, human case reports, and laboratory research published from 2017 to 2025.
Researchers identified early warning signs linked to cancer, such as DNA damage and inflammation. Co-author Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart stated, “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.”
The modern e-cigarette has been around since the early 2000s, leaving a gap in long-term data necessary for a definitive assessment of cancer risk. Many individuals who vape also smoke, complicating the ability to isolate the impacts of vaping alone. As a result, the team did not quantify the number of people who might develop cancer from vaping but focused on the biological changes that may lead to the disease.
Emerging Evidence from Case Reports
The review also included case reports from dental professionals who have observed oral cancer in individuals who had only vaped and had never smoked. Furthermore, animal studies highlighted concerning findings, such as a study where mice exposed to e-cigarette vapour developed lung tumours at rates significantly higher than their unexposed counterparts. While such results cannot be directly applied to humans, they raise crucial questions about the safety of vaping.
Stewart remarked, “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.”
Lead author Associate Professor Freddy Sitas highlighted the historical context of smoking’s recognition as a cause of lung cancer, noting it took a century of growing evidence before the US Surgeon General made the association in 1964.
A Call for Caution
Calvin Cochran, a research fellow at the University of Otago in New Zealand, emphasised that nearly 8,000 studies were scrutinised to reach these conclusions. He cautioned against dismissing early warning signs, stating, “We risk repeating that same fate with vaping if we don’t take emerging research and warning signs seriously.”
Sitas further urged regulators to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, from potential harm. “What is important is that regulators have at their disposal the full spectrum of evidence. It’s not an alternative to smoking… it is dangerous, and that’s the message.”
While some experts, like Professor Stephen Duffy from Queen Mary University London, warned against equating the risks of vaping with those of smoking—highlighting that vaping lacks the carcinogenic combustion products found in traditional cigarettes—others, like Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney, affirmed the increased cancer risk presented by vaping. “This study is the first to assert that there is likely an increased cancer risk for people who vape compared to those who do not,” she stated.
Addressing Regulatory Gaps
The findings of this research carry significant implications for public health policy. Current Australian regulations that restrict vaping products to pharmacy-only access for smokers looking to quit are seen as a prudent approach by many experts.
Freeman noted, “Preventing young people from accessing vaping products, while also providing a tightly regulated channel for those using them to quit smoking, is a balance.”
Why it Matters
As vaping continues to gain popularity, particularly among the youth, the findings from this study present a critical juncture for health authorities. The potential cancer risks associated with e-cigarette use demand immediate attention and action from policymakers. Ignoring these early indicators could lead to a public health crisis akin to that seen with tobacco smoking. It is imperative to prioritise comprehensive regulations that protect current and future generations from the dangers of vaping.
