Trending Now - Study Reveals Vaping May Increase Cancer Risk Significantly

WHO:

Science Media Centre - Prof Peter Hajek, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London.

Science Media Centre - Prof Lion Shahab, Professor of Health Psychology and Co-Director of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, University College London.

Science Media Centre - Dr Baptiste Leurent, Associate Professor in Medical Statistics at UCL.

Science Media Centre - Dr Stephen Burgess, Statistician at the MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge.

Science Media Centre - Prof John Britton, Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, University of Nottingham.

Science Media Centre - Prof Peter Shields, Emeritus Professor of Medical Oncology at the Ohio State University.

Science Media Centre - Prof Stephen Duffy, Emeritus Professor of Cancer Screening at Queen Mary University of London.

ScienceAlert - Freddy Sitas and Bernard Stewart, co-authors of the study from the University of New South Wales.

WHAT:

Science Media Centre - Prof Peter Hajek stated that the review's conclusions are misleading, emphasizing that vaping exposes users to only a very small fraction of some carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.

Science Media Centre - Prof Lion Shahab criticized the review for not following standard practices and lacking clear selection criteria, which increases the risk of selection bias.

Science Media Centre - Dr Baptiste Leurent described the review as not being a new study or structured systematic review, but rather an opinion piece combining different studies.

Science Media Centre - Dr Stephen Burgess noted that while the review identifies potential mechanisms by which vaping may increase cancer risk, evidence linking these mechanisms to cancer outcomes in humans is variable and absent.

Science Media Centre - Prof John Britton stated that the study does not advance knowledge by estimating how big a risk vaping exposures represent, indicating that risks are likely to be very small.

Science Media Centre - Prof Peter Shields remarked that the paper selectively cites studies and fails to recognize that many studies show reduced carcinogenic exposures when smokers switch to vaping.

Science Media Centre - Prof Stephen Duffy expressed that the review does not provide rigorous epidemiological evidence of cancer in humans caused by vaping, suggesting that the conclusions may be an overinterpretation.

Science Media Centre - A risk assessment published in Carcinogenesis examines the carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes.

ScienceAlert - A comprehensive review of more than 100 studies concludes that nicotine vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancers.

ScienceAlert - The review categorizes studies into three groups: human studies showing biomarkers of DNA damage, experimental studies in mice, and lab analyses of vape liquid compounds.

ScienceAlert - The review indicates that e-cigarettes are likely to cause lung cancer and oral cancer.

WHERE:

Science Media Centre - Queen Mary University of London, University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham, Ohio State University.

ScienceAlert - University of New South Wales, Australia.

WHEN:

Science Media Centre - The study titled ‘The carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes: a qualitative risk assessment’ was published on March 30th, 2026, at 3 PM UK time.

ScienceAlert - The review includes studies published since 2017.

WHY:

Science Media Centre - Experts warn that misinforming smokers about vaping could discourage them from using e-cigarettes, which are effective for smoking cessation.

ScienceAlert - The review aims to assess the carcinogenic impact of e-cigarettes independently, avoiding comparisons with smoking.

HOW:

Science Media Centre - Dr Gavin Stewart criticized the review for not meeting methodological expectations for evidence synthesis, stating that its conclusions should be treated with circumspection.

Science Media Centre - The review did not follow standard practices for systematic reviews, lacking clear selection criteria and protocols.

ScienceAlert - The researchers focused on studies that specifically examined e-cigarettes or compared vapers to non-vapers, excluding dual users.

(UPDATED March 31, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Experts from the Science Media Centre have raised significant concerns about a recent review on vaping, with Professor Peter Hajek stating that it presents misleading conclusions and emphasizes that vaping exposes users to only a small fraction of carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Professor Lion Shahab criticized the review for lacking clear selection criteria, which could lead to selection bias, while Dr. Baptiste Leurent described it as more of an opinion piece rather than a structured systematic review. The experts warn that misinforming smokers about vaping could deter them from using e-cigarettes, which are known to be effective for smoking cessation.

(UPDATED March 31, 2026 09:20 UTC)

A new risk assessment published in the journal Carcinogenesis examines the carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes, with findings suggesting that nicotine vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancers. This comprehensive review, which includes over 100 studies from institutions such as Queen Mary University of London and the University of New South Wales, categorizes research into human studies showing DNA damage, experimental studies in mice, and lab analyses of vape liquid compounds. Experts caution that misinforming smokers about vaping could hinder their use of e-cigarettes, which are effective for smoking cessation, while the review itself did not adhere to standard systematic review practices.