Study Suggests Vaping May Directly Cause Lung and Mouth Cancer, Not Just Lead to Smoking

Kathmandu. A comprehensive study has shown that nicotine-containing vapes or electronic cigarettes have the potential to cause lung and mouth cancer.

The study, led by cancer researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia, stated that vaping itself can be a cause of cancer, not merely a gateway to smoking.

The research, led by Associate Professor Bernard Stuart, involved toxicologists, epidemiologists, thoracic surgeons, and public health experts.

Analysis of clinical studies, animal tests, and laboratory data from 2017 to 2025 found DNA damage, oxidative stress, tissue inflammation, and lung tumors in mice from vape smoke.

The study also detected various carcinogenic chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and metals emitted from the heating coils in vape smoke.

According to Freddy Sitas, a co-author of the research, most people who use vapes to quit smoking end up addicted to both habits.

He noted that individuals who use both vapes and cigarettes have a four-fold higher risk of developing lung cancer.

However, the exact number of cancer cases resulting from this is not yet clear, as long-term human studies are still required.

"Electronic cigarettes only came into use about 20 years ago. We should not wait much longer to understand their effects," Sitas said.

He urged regulatory bodies not to repeat the history of delaying the recognition of smoking as a cause of cancer.