Electronic cigarettes raise lung cancer risk for former smokers

Electronic cigarettes are not a risk‑free alternative to smoking. Research indicates that inhaling aerosol from e‑cigarettes can cause lung inflammation, DNA damage, and other cellular stress.

A large South Korean analysis of over 4.5 million adults found that former smokers who switched to vaping had a 56 % higher risk of developing lung cancer compared with those who quit smoking entirely. The study reported 35,887 lung‑cancer cases and 12,807 deaths during the observation period.

Experts caution that, while vaping reduces exposure to some tobacco combustion products, it introduces toxic chemicals and heavy metals that may exacerbate respiratory disease. Health officials advise people attempting to quit smoking to consider proven cessation methods before turning to e‑cigarettes.