A new study by Australian researchers has raised concerns over a possible link between vaping and cancers affecting the lungs and mouth.
Researchers are urging regulators to consider preventive measures as more evidence emerges about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
The study was led by researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. It reviewed scientific studies, animal experiments, human cases and laboratory research published between 2017 and 2025.
Researchers found that exposure to nicotine-containing e-cigarette vapor was associated with biological changes linked to cancer.
These changes included DNA damage and increased inflammation in tissues exposed to the vapor. Experts said the findings were concerning because vaping appears to affect cells in the mouth and lungs.
Researcher Bernard Stewart said inhaling e-cigarette vapor produces noticeable changes in tissues. However, scientists stressed that the findings do not yet prove that vaping directly causes cancer in humans.
E-cigarettes became widely available after 2000. This means researchers still lack enough long-term evidence to determine how many people could eventually develop cancer because of vaping.
The researchers also reviewed cases involving people diagnosed with oral cancer who reported vaping but had never smoked traditional cigarettes.
Animal studies provided additional warning signs. Some experiments found that mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor developed more lung tumors.
However, researchers cautioned that findings from animal experiments cannot be directly applied to humans. Further research is needed to understand the potential long-term health effects.
The study has renewed concerns about vaping among younger people. E-cigarettes have become increasingly common, raising questions about their possible health impact over many years.
The researchers called on regulators to consider the available evidence while longer-term studies continue. They said preventive action could help reduce potential health risks.
The findings highlight the need for continued research into vaping, particularly its effects on the lungs, mouth and other tissues.
While vaping is still being studied, experts say the absence of long-term evidence should not be interpreted as proof that e-cigarettes are harmless.
Also read: Gallup Survey Finds Low Vaping Awareness, Rising Youth Concerns
