Vaping And Cancer: Growing Evidence Of Lung Dangers

Growing research suggests that vaping —a practice perceived as a less harmful alternative to smoking—may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Although e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, their use involves the inhalation of harmful chemical compounds, several of which are already recognized as carcinogens.

“ Vaping may be following a similar pattern to what we saw with conventional cigarettes decades ago,” said Dr. Min Kim, a thoracic surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital.

“Tobacco was already suspected of being carcinogenic in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that conclusive evidence proved it. Today, vaping appears to be at a comparable stage.”

What chemicals are in the vapor you inhale when vaping?

Unlike traditional cigarettes, where you inhale the smoke produced by combustion, vaping works by using a device that heats liquids to generate vapor. These liquids—called e-liquids—can contain nicotine, THC, flavorings, and a variety of additives, many of which are not strictly regulated.

A 2020 study found more than 500 chemicals in the vaping cartridges tested. Many of these have been classified as carcinogens, including:

Formaldehyde, benzene, and heavy metals have proven links to lung cancer.
Diacetyl, a flavor additive that can cause permanent lung scarring.
Nicotine, a highly addictive substance found in most vaping products.
Ultrafine particles can lodge deep in the lungs and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma.

These substances can alter cellular DNA and increase the likelihood of healthy cells transforming into cancer. Although a single exposure does not guarantee the development of cancer, prolonged contact significantly increases the risk.

Vaping can also cause lung inflammation and respiratory illnesses.

The harms of vaping aren’t limited to exposure to carcinogens. Inhaled vapor can cause chronic inflammation in the lungs, which, over time, can lead to cellular changes that promote the development of tumors.

Dr. Kim warns that while it’s not yet clear whether vaping causes lung cancer in humans, the evidence points in that direction. “We already know that it damages the lungs, contains dangerous substances, and that animal studies show its carcinogenic potential. The risk is real,” he emphasizes.

A recent study found that people who vape and also smoke cigarettes are four times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who only smoke.

Other diseases associated with the use of electronic cigarettes

E-cigarettes have also been linked to several lung conditions, including:

EVALI (e-cigarette-associated lung injury): This condition gained notoriety in 2019 after causing mass hospitalizations due to vitamin E acetate-associated lung inflammation.
Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO): Also known as “popcorn lung,” it is caused by the inhalation of diacetyl, which causes irreversible scarring of the small airways.
Lipoid pneumonia: Caused by the accumulation of lipids in the lungs, often due to oily components present in e-liquids.

Research is also underway to determine whether vaping can worsen chronic conditions such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), although the results are not yet conclusive.

Quitting vaping also improves your lung health.

Many users turn to vaping as a strategy to quit traditional cigarettes. However, experts warn that this may simply mean replacing one harmful habit with another.

“Vaping is not harmless,” Dr. Kim maintains. “Although there is no definitive proof yet of its direct link to cancer, quitting it has real benefits for respiratory health and also for your wallet. Nicotine is extremely addictive, but with professional support, it is possible to quit vaping or smoking.”