An Australian Study Links Vaping to Cancer — Then Came the Global Backlash

An Australian study has found that nicotine-based vapes are likely to cause lung and oral cancers, prompting a re-evaluation of the perceived safety of e-cigarettes and calls for stronger enforcement of existing regulations.

The review, led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published in the journal Carcinogenesis, analysed a wide body of global research including clinical studies, animal experiments, and laboratory research on the chemicals produced by e-cigarettes. According to Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart AM, who led the study, the evidence indicates that vaping is likely to cause cancer in the lung and oral cavity, even before long-term studies can confirm the exact risk.

Professor Stewart stated that, to the researchers’ knowledge, this review represents the most definitive determination to date that individuals who vape are at increased risk of cancer compared to those who do not. The assessment challenges the prevailing focus on vaping as a gateway to tobacco smoking by examining whether the devices themselves may cause cancer independent of smoking.

The research team, which included investigators from The University of Queensland, Flinders University, The University of Sydney, and several hospitals including Royal North Shore, The Prince Charles, and Sunshine Coast University Hospitals, brought together experts from multiple disciplines such as pharmacists, epidemiologists, thoracic surgeons, and public health researchers. This multidisciplinary approach allowed the team to evaluate the evidence from various scientific perspectives.

Beyond cancer risks, the review found that a range of other diseases could be attributable to vaping, leading researchers to conclude that e-cigarettes can no longer be considered “safer than smoking.” This finding underscores the need for a reassessment of public health messaging around vaping products, particularly those containing nicotine.

Experts involved in the study emphasized that stronger enforcement of Australia’s existing vaping laws is necessary, including a crackdown on incorrectly labelled and black market vapes. They also called for greater public awareness about the potential for harm associated with nicotine-based vaping products.

The study comes amid ongoing international discussion about the health implications of vaping, with some researchers questioning the methodology and conclusions of the Australian review. Despite the backlash, the researchers maintain that their analysis of the available evidence supports the conclusion that nicotine-based vapes pose a carcinogenic risk.

As of March 2026, the findings contribute to growing evidence about the health risks of e-cigarettes and may inform future regulatory decisions regarding vaping products in Australia and internationally.