A new review led by researchers from UNSW Sydney says that nicotine e‑cigarettes probably cause cancers in the lungs and mouth.
What the Study Did
The paper was published in the journal Carcinogenesis. Scientists from several Australian universities and hospitals worked together. They looked at many different types of research – from human studies to experiments with animals and lab tests on the chemicals in vape clouds.
Why This Matters
Vaping has often been studied only as a step toward smoking cigarettes. This review asks a new question: can a vape device cause cancer on its own? The answer appears to be yes, especially for lung and oral cancers.
Even though the researchers are confident about the link, they cannot yet give an exact number of future cancer cases. They need long‑term studies to calculate the exact risk.
Vaping’s Rise in Australia
Electronic cigarettes appeared in Australia around 2008. They were marketed as a safer way to quit smoking. Today, colorful and flavored devices are popular, especially with younger people. In 2023 the Australian government tightened rules – disposable vapes are banned and therapeutic vapes can only be sold in pharmacies for quitting smoking.
Despite the rules, many people still vape in public places such as schools, bars, and train stations.
Evidence From Different Angles
Scientists have known for over a hundred years that smoking causes disease. While vaping is newer, studies already show that nicotine‑filled aerosols can cause addiction, poisoning, and lung injury.
The review found harmful chemicals in vape vapor, including volatile organic compounds and metal particles from heating coils. It also looked at other clues:
- Markers in people’s blood that show DNA damage and inflammation.
- Mouse experiments where vaping led to lung tumors.
- Lab work showing that vape chemicals damage cells and disturb processes that can lead to cancer.
Using Both Vapes and Cigarettes Increases Risk
Many smokers who start vaping keep smoking cigarettes at the same time. This “dual use” appears to raise the chance of lung cancer even more. Recent data from the United States suggest that people who both vape and smoke are about four times more likely to develop lung cancer.
Learning From the Past
Prof. Stewart and A/Prof. Sitas compare today’s vaping debate to the early days of smoking research. It took decades for the world to accept that cigarettes cause lung cancer. They warn that waiting another long period before acting on vaping could repeat that mistake.
Vaping has only been around for about twenty years. Researchers say it’s time to act now, not later.