newsGP - Vapes ‘likely to be carcinogenic’, study finds
A new study suggests e-cigarettes are likely carcinogenic, potentially causing oral and lung cancer, prompting calls for stricter regulation.Summary
Australian researchers at UNSW have concluded that e-cigarettes are ‘likely to be carcinogenic’ to humans based on a review of research from 2017-2025. The study, published in the Carcinogenesis journal, found evidence of pre-carcinogenic changes in the mouth and lungs due to vaping. Lead author Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart emphasized the ‘unequivocal’ evidence of cellular alterations. While nicotine replacement therapy remains the preferred method for smoking cessation, the medical profession largely avoids recommending e-cigarettes. The RACGP guidelines consider them a last-line treatment with caveats due to uncertainties about long-term effects. Professor Nick Zwar argues that dismissing vapes entirely as a therapeutic option is premature, advocating for continued research. Researchers hope the findings will influence regulators to address the rising rates of vaping, particularly among young people, and a 2024 study suggests vaping alongside smoking increases lung cancer risk fourfold.
(Source：Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP))
