Researchers have observed that vaping causes similar changes to human cells as smoking, calling for more exploration of potential links to cancer.
The study was conducted by researchers from University College London and the University of Innsbruck, published in Cancer Research on 19 March. It analysed the epigenetic effects of tobacco and e-cigarettes on more than 3,500 samples. The aim was to understand the impact of these substances on both cells that are directly exposed, such as in the mouth, and cells from the rest of the body which are indirectly exposed.
Smoking tobacco was found to substantially change epithelial cells in the mouth. Epithelial cells often make up the lining of organs and are a common origin for cancer. Similar changes where observed in vape users, despite the fact that these participants had all smoked fewer than 100 tobacco cigarettes throughout their lives.
Is this evidence that vaping causes cancer?
Dr Chiara Herzog, first author of the study, stressed that this is not conclusive evidence that vaping causes cancer. However she called for more investigation of the potential link.
She said: ‘We cannot say that e-cigarettes cause cancer based on our study, but we do observe e-cigarette users exhibit some similar epigenetic changes in buccal cells as smokers, and these changes are associated with future lung cancer development in smokers. Further studies will be required to investigate whether these features could be used to individually predict cancer in smokers and e-cigarette users.
‘While the scientific consensus is that e-cigarettes are safer than smoking tobacco, we cannot assume they are completely safe to use and it is important to explore their potential long-term risks and links to cancer. We hope this study may help form part of a wider discussion into e-cigarette usage – especially in people who have never previously smoked tobacco.’
‘E-cigarettes are not risk-free’
Cancer Research UK has responded to the results of the study. Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy, warned against discouraging vaping as a way to quit smoking.
He said: ‘This study contributes to our understanding of e-cigarettes, but it does not show that e-cigarettes cause cancer. Decades of research has proven the link between smoking and cancer, and studies have so far shown that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking and can help people quit.
‘This paper does however highlight that e-cigarettes are not risk-free, and so we need additional studies to uncover their potential longer-term impacts on human health.’
Appearing on Sky News, health minister Maria Caulfield reacted to the study with concern over her husband’s vaping habit. While she said that e-cigarettes had helped him to quit smoking, she also publicly asked him to ‘stop vaping’.
In January, prime minister Rishi Sunk confirmed that the government would be imposing a ban on disposable vapes.
Health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins said: ‘The health advice is clear, vapes should only ever be used as a tool to quit smoking. But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes we’re preventing children from becoming hooked for life.’
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