Adults only (18+)

Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer

Vaping is often promoted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, but many people remain unsure about its long-term health effects, especially when it comes to lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, responsible for around 70% of all cases according to the NHS. While vaping eliminates the tar and most of the carcinogens produced by burning tobacco, it still involves inhaling vapourised substances into the lungs. The question is whether these vapours could cause cancer over time.

How Lung Cancer Develops

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lungs begin to grow uncontrollably, often as a result of repeated exposure to harmful chemicals. Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known carcinogens, including tar, benzene, and formaldehyde, which damage the DNA in lung cells. Over time, this damage can lead to mutations that trigger cancer growth.

Because vaping does not involve combustion, the vapour produced by e-cigarettes contains far fewer toxic chemicals than cigarette smoke. However, that doesn’t mean vaping is completely risk-free. Some of the compounds found in e-liquids and vapour can irritate the lungs and have the potential to cause harm with long-term use.

What’s in Vape Vapour?

Vape liquid, or e-liquid, is made up of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavourings, and often nicotine. When heated, these ingredients produce vapour that is inhaled into the lungs. Unlike cigarette smoke, this vapour doesn’t contain tar or carbon monoxide — the two major contributors to lung cancer in smokers.

However, when e-liquids are heated to high temperatures, small amounts of by-products such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein can be produced. These are also present in cigarette smoke but at much lower levels in vapour. While exposure is significantly reduced, it is not completely eliminated, and scientists are still studying whether these trace amounts could increase cancer risk over time.

Vaping vs Smoking: Cancer Risk Comparison

Current evidence suggests that vaping is far less likely to cause lung cancer than smoking. Public Health England and the NHS have both stated that vaping is estimated to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking because it avoids combustion. Most of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke are produced by burning tobacco, a process that does not occur with vaping.

However, “less harmful” does not mean “completely safe.” Long-term studies are still ongoing because vaping is a relatively new behaviour compared with decades of cigarette research. Scientists are continuing to monitor whether years of exposure to vapourised e-liquid ingredients could contribute to cellular damage in the lungs.

Does Nicotine Cause Lung Cancer?

Nicotine itself does not cause cancer. It is the addictive substance in cigarettes and e-liquids, but it is not a carcinogen. Nicotine’s main health risks are related to its effects on the cardiovascular system, such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

That said, nicotine may play an indirect role in cancer development by promoting conditions that allow damaged cells to survive longer. In other words, while nicotine doesn’t cause cancer on its own, it may help cancerous cells grow more quickly if other carcinogens are already present.

What Does Research Say About Vaping and Lung Health?

Studies so far show that switching from smoking to vaping significantly reduces exposure to carcinogens. Research published by Cancer Research UK has found that smokers who switched completely to vaping had dramatically lower levels of toxic and cancer-causing substances in their bodies within six months.

However, researchers also note that vaping can irritate the airways and cause inflammation in the lungs. Chronic inflammation, if sustained over many years, can increase the risk of various diseases, including cancer. Because vaping has only been widespread for just over a decade, there hasn’t been enough time to measure its true long-term impact on cancer risk.

Flavourings and Lung Safety

Another area of study is the safety of flavourings used in e-liquids. Many flavouring agents are approved for use in food but not necessarily for inhalation. When heated, some can break down into compounds that irritate lung tissue. For example, certain buttery or creamy flavours have been linked to a condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung,” although this has been associated mainly with an ingredient called diacetyl, which is now banned in UK-regulated e-liquids.

Flavourings such as cinnamon and menthol can also irritate airways if inhaled frequently. While these effects are not cancerous, ongoing irritation and inflammation may make the lungs more vulnerable to other damage over time.

Can Vaping Damage Lung Cells?

Some laboratory studies have shown that exposure to e-cigarette vapour can cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in lung cells. This means that cells exposed to vapour may experience mild stress or genetic changes. However, these studies often use much higher concentrations of vapour than humans would realistically inhale, so their real-world relevance is uncertain.

So far, no study has conclusively linked vaping to lung cancer in humans. What is known is that the damage caused by cigarette smoke is far greater and much more clearly associated with cancer development.

UK Regulations and Product Safety

In the UK, e-cigarettes are strictly regulated to protect consumers. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) oversees all vape products sold legally in the country. E-liquids must meet safety standards that limit the types and concentrations of ingredients used.

For example, nicotine strength is capped at 20 mg/ml, and diacetyl (a chemical linked to popcorn lung) is banned. These regulations make vaping products in the UK much safer than unregulated imports or counterfeit devices.

Because of these safety standards, vaping in the UK poses a much lower risk than smoking and is considered an effective harm reduction tool for those looking to quit cigarettes. However, the safest option for non-smokers is to avoid vaping altogether.

Can Vaping Cause Other Lung Problems?

Although there is no confirmed link between vaping and lung cancer, it can still cause other respiratory issues in some users. Some people experience coughing, throat irritation, or shortness of breath, particularly when using high-nicotine or overly sweet e-liquids.

There have also been rare cases of severe lung injury associated with vaping in other countries, mostly linked to unregulated or illicit products containing THC or vitamin E acetate. These ingredients are not permitted in UK-regulated vape liquids.

For most UK vapers using compliant products, the main risks are irritation, inflammation, or temporary breathing discomfort rather than cancer or permanent lung disease.

Does Quitting Vaping Improve Lung Health?

Yes. When someone stops vaping, the lungs begin to clear out mucus and improve oxygen exchange within days. Inflammation subsides, and overall breathing comfort tends to improve. Because vaping does not cause the same level of tar build-up as smoking, recovery is typically faster than in former smokers.

If someone has been vaping for several years, quitting reduces their risk of developing any potential long-term effects related to airway irritation or inflammation. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and hydration can further support lung recovery.

Final Thoughts

At present, there is no clear evidence that vaping causes lung cancer, but research is ongoing. What is known is that vaping exposes the body to far fewer carcinogens than smoking and does not involve the combustion process responsible for most cases of lung cancer.

While vaping is not completely harmless, it is a significantly safer alternative for adult smokers who are trying to quit. Non-smokers, however, should avoid vaping altogether, as the long-term effects of inhaling vapourised chemicals are still being studied.

The best way to reduce cancer risk remains clear: avoid smoking, minimise nicotine use, and protect lung health through clean air, regular exercise, and a smoke-free lifestyle.