Australian study links vaping to lung and oral cancer risk
Consensus Summary
An Australian review by UNSW researchers published in 2025 concluded that nicotine vapes likely cause lung and oral cancer, based on animal studies, human biomarkers, and case reports like a 19-year-old with vaping-linked oral cancer. Both sources agree the evidenceâincluding oxidative stress and inflammationâsuggests carcinogenic potential, though no definitive epidemiological link exists yet. Australiaâs 2024 law restricting vape sales to pharmacies for smoking cessation was cited by both, but the ABC emphasized enforcement gaps and black-market risks, while the Guardian underscored the urgency for regulators to act despite incomplete long-term data. Experts like Bernard Stewart (UNSW) and Alexander Larcombe (Curtin) warned vapes are not safe alternatives, even without nicotine, due to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Contradictions arose in framing: the ABC cautioned against overstating immediate risks, while the Guardian urged proactive regulation, and both sources differed slightly in portraying vapingâs relative harm compared to smoking.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A new Australian review led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) found nicotine-containing vapes are likely to cause lung and oral cancers, based on evidence from 2017â2025.
- The review analyzed mouse studies, human biomarker studies (oxidative stress, epigenetic changes, inflammation), and case reports, including a 19-year-old man with oral cancer linked to vaping.
- Australiaâs federal government strengthened vaping legislation in 2024 to restrict sales to pharmacies for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence management only.
- Black market vapes in Australia often contain nicotine despite misleading labels, according to Alexander Larcombe (Curtin University) and the ABCâs reporting.
- The review did not establish a definitive epidemiological link between vaping and cancer but identified biological markers (DNA damage, inflammation) associated with cancer risk.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Lead author Bernard Stewart noted that definitive proof of vaping causing cancer may take decades, comparing it to the 100-year timeline for smokingâs link to cancer.
- Becky Freeman (University of Sydney) emphasized the need to minimize future harm by supporting quit-vaping efforts and curbing black-market supply, citing enforcement gaps in Australiaâs laws.
- Alexander Larcombe (Curtin University) highlighted that nicotine-free vapes still contain harmful substances like formaldehyde, acrolein, and cytotoxic flavorings (cinnamaldehyde).
- The ABC reported the Federal Department of Health did not respond to inquiries about vape restrictions before deadline.
- The Guardian cited Calvin Cochran (University of Otago) warning that dismissing early vaping research risks repeating the delay in recognizing smokingâs carcinogenic effects.
- Stephen Duffy (Queen Mary University London) clarified that vaping is not as harmful as smoking due to the absence of combustion products, though he acknowledged carcinogenic risks.
- The Guardian explicitly stated the review was published in the journal *Carcinogenesis* on Tuesday, a detail not mentioned in the ABC article.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC reported Dr Stewart saying 'there is still no epidemiological link between vaping and cancer,' while the Guardian framed the review as finding 'likely' cancer risk without definitive numbers.
- The Guardian noted Prof Duffyâs statement that vaping is 'not as harmful as smoking,' but the ABC omitted this nuanced comparison, focusing instead on vapes being 'not safer than smoking.'
- The ABC emphasized Dr Stewartâs caution that 'definite proof will take decades,' whereas the Guardian framed the urgency for regulators to act 'now' despite the lack of long-term data.
- The Guardian cited the reviewâs assessment of 'pre-carcinogenic changes' (DNA damage, inflammation) as strong evidence, while the ABC downplayed this by calling it 'biological markers' without explicit carcinogenic implications.
- The ABC highlighted Dr Larcombeâs claim that 'nicotine-free vapes are definitely not safe,' but the Guardian did not repeat this specific phrasing, focusing instead on carcinogenicity data.
Source Articles
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