Does Vaping Cause Cancer? A Review of the Latest Research

Introduction

Vaping has surged in popularity, particularly among young adults, often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. However, concerns about its long-term health effects—especially its potential link to cancer—persist. This review examines recent studies from 2021 to 2023 to assess whether vaping increases cancer risk
(Kundu, et al., 2025).

How the Research Was Conducted

Scientists analysed multiple studies, focusing on different research approaches:

• Human Studies – Comparing cancer rates among vapers and non-vapers.
• Animal and Cell Studies – Observing the effects of e-cigarette vapor on cells and laboratory animals.
• Short-term vs. Long-term Exposure – Evaluating both brief and prolonged vaping exposure.

Key Findings

• No direct evidence linking vaping to cancer in humans – Studies did not report increased lung or other cancer cases among vapers who never smoked.
• Potential warning signs – Lab and animal research indicated that vaping might cause cellular stress, DNA damage, and abnormal cell growth, which could theoretically lead to cancer over time.
• Nicotine vs. non-nicotine vapes – Harmful effects were observed in both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free vapes.
• Chemical exposure concerns – E-cigarette aerosols contain chemicals such as formaldehyde and heavy metals, known carcinogens at high exposure levels.
• No strong link to specific cancers – While some early signs suggest a possible connection to lung and bladder cancer, definitive proof is lacking.

Who Might Be at Higher Risk?

• No clear difference by age or gender – Vaping effects appeared similar across different demographics.
• Sociodemographic trends – Research found that individuals with lower education levels were more likely to vape. Additionally, Black and Asian cancer survivors vaped less frequently than White survivors.

What Does This Mean

As of now, there is no conclusive proof that vaping causes cancer, though some research suggests it may elevate long-term risks. The challenge is that cancer typically takes decades to develop, while vaping remains a relatively recent phenomenon. Long-term studies are essential for more definitive answers.

Final Thoughts

For non-smokers, vaping likely poses unnecessary risks. For smokers using vaping as a cessation tool, it is generally considered less harmful than smoking, but its long-term safety remains uncertain. Further research is crucial to fully understand vaping’s impact on cancer development.

References

Kundu, A., Sachdeva, K., Feore, A., Anna, A., Sutton, M., Megan, S., & Schwartz, R. (January, 2025). Evidence update on the cancer risk of vaping e-cigarettes: A systematic review. Tobacco Induced Disease, 23, 6. doi:https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/192934