Vaping likely to cause lung & oral cancer, study finds strongest evidence yet

"E-cigarettes are known to be a gateway to smoking and hence cancer," researchers have said.

A new research by scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney has revealed that nicotine-based vapes, or e-cigarettes, are likely to cause cancers of the lung and oral cavity.

Published in the journal Carcinogenesis on Tuesday, this research is said to be one of the most detailed attempts yet to determine whether vaping itself may cause cancer, independent of tobacco smoking. It is based on evidence collected from clinical studies, animal experiments and laboratory research examining the chemicals produced by e-cigarettes.

"To our knowledge, this review is the most definitive determination that those who vape are at increased risk of cancer compared to those who don’t," co-author and UNSW cancer researcher adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart said in a statement.

E-cigarettes were first introduced in the early 2000s and have become popular only recently. While more long-term studies are required to definitively prove their contribution to cancer, scientists said the study's findings are striking.

"E-cigarettes are known to be a gateway to smoking and hence cancer," said co-author UNSW Associate Professor Freddy Sitas.

"But the extent to which they may cause cancer in their own right has not received as much attention in research," he says.

It has been found that nicotine-laced aerosols have several carcinogenic compounds, including volatile organic chemicals and metals released from heating coils, that may cause cancer.

The researchers said that evidence points such as biomarkers in people showing DNA damage, oxidative stress and tissue inflammation, combined with experiments in mice that caused lung tumours and laboratory studies showing cellular damage and disrupted biological pathways, strongly point toward the likelihood of e-cigarettes causing cancer.

What's more, those who opt for e-cigarettes but fail to quit smoking are at an additional four-fold increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Stewart and team pointed out that it wasn't until 1964 that smoking was officially recognised as a cause of lung cancer. Prior to that, early warning signs were often dismissed or overlooked and the same pattern is now unfolding with vaping.

"E-cigarettes were introduced about 20 years ago. We should not wait another 80 years to decide what to do," Sitas said.