Review Links E-Cigarettes to Cancer Risk as 1.6 Million US Students Reported Vaping
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 28
Review Links E-Cigarettes to Cancer Risk as 1.6 Million US Students Reported Vaping
9 articles · Updated · CNN · May 28
A new Carcinogenesis review found nicotine-based e-cigarettes may raise the risk of cancers involving the lungs, mouth and bladder, though it said long-term human data are still limited.
The evidence spans lab, animal, biomarker and epidemiologic studies showing vaping aerosols can damage DNA, drive chronic inflammation and expose users to compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, nickel, chromium and lead.
Dr. Leana Wen said vaping is probably less harmful than combustible cigarettes but not safe, warning that many smokers become long-term dual users rather than ending nicotine addiction.
FDA-approved quit aids such as nicotine replacement, varenicline and bupropion have stronger evidence than e-cigarettes, which are not approved as smoking-cessation devices.
Youth exposure remains a major concern: 1.6 million US middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use in 2024, with nicotine posing risks to developing brains.
A new review says vapes likely cause cancer, but some experts disagree. How can users know the real risk?
Dual use of vapes and cigarettes quadruples lung cancer risk. Is this habit worse than smoking alone?
With studies linking vaping to DNA damage, why did the FDA just approve new fruit-flavored e-cigarettes?
2026 Scientific Consensus: Vaping’s Direct Cancer Risk, Youth Epidemic, and the Case for Precautionary Action
Overview
A major review published in 2026 in Carcinogenesis found that nicotine-based e-cigarettes are likely to cause lung and oral cancers, marking a significant change in how scientists view vaping’s long-term risks. The research team focused only on studies comparing vapers to non-vapers, excluding those who both vape and smoke, and prioritized recent studies for accuracy. By using a rigorous approach and analyzing a wide range of evidence—including clinical, animal, and laboratory studies—the review provided a clearer understanding of vaping’s direct cancer risk, highlighting the urgent need for public health action.