According to a major new review published in the journal Carcinogenesis, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are highly likely to be a causative factor for lung and oral cancer.
This study, conducted by Australian scientists, is an attempt to determine the health risks posed by electronic cigarettes independent of tobacco smoking. An international team of researchers—comprising experts from various fields, including oncologists, epidemiologists, and surgeons—analyzed a wide range of scientific perspectives, from clinical observations to laboratory and animal experiments.
The study’s authors emphasize that, until now, e-cigarettes have primarily been viewed as a “gateway” to tobacco, with less attention paid to whether these devices themselves can cause cancer. The analysis revealed numerous carcinogenic compounds in e-cigarette aerosols, including volatile organic chemicals and metals.
Laboratory studies demonstrated DNA damage, tissue inflammation, and cellular changes directly linked to oncogenic processes. According to the researchers, while decades of observation are required to establish exact numerical data, existing scientific evidence already provides a basis to conclude that e-cigarette users face an increased risk of developing cancer.
Particularly noteworthy is the issue of “dual use,” where individuals fail to quit smoking entirely and use e-cigarettes in parallel. Epidemiological data shows that the risk of developing lung cancer in such patients increases fourfold. Scientists draw a parallel with the history of tobacco, noting that it took nearly a century for the link between smoking and cancer to be officially recognized.
The research team urges the public health sector not to repeat the mistakes of the past or wait decades to take decisive action, as the growing popularity of e-cigarettes—especially among young people—already represents a serious global threat.
