2026-03-31 08:02:13

Vaping could raise the risk of lung and mouth cancer.

Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, have cast fresh doubt on the safety of e-cigarettes – which have often been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking.

The team reviewed a series of studies, including experiments in mice that developed lung tumours after exposure to vape aerosol, alongside reports of heavy users who went on to develop aggressive mouth cancer.

They believe vapour from e-cigarettes may contain cancer-causing chemicals that can damage DNA and trigger inflammation in body tissues.

Lead author Professor Bernard Stewart said: “We’ll only be able to determine the precise risk once longer-term studies are available.”

Despite the concerns, scientists stressed that vaping is still widely considered less harmful than traditional smoking — but warned it may not be risk-free, especially for those who have never smoked.

Professor Becky Freeman, from the University of Sydney, cautioned: “Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking for nonsmokers.”

However, the findings have sparked backlash from other experts, who argue the evidence is far from conclusive.

Professor Lion Shahab, of University College London, said: “No one would argue that e-cigarettes are entirely risk-free.

“They should be used as a harm reduction product to help those who smoke to quit and reduce their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.

“However, this review does not offer a ‘smoking gun’ that e-cigarettes cause oral or lung cancer, nor does it make an attempt at quantifying this risk.

“The evidence is simply not there.”

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