A new study from South Korea shows that switching from traditional smoking to vaping may increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
By analyzing data from over four million former smokers, researchers found that those who switched to vaping had more cases of lung cancer.
Study From South Korea Examines Switching From Smoking to Vaping
The study reveals that individuals who quit smoking and turn to vaping may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer than those who avoid vaping altogether.
Led by Yeon Wook Kim at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, this research, still awaiting peer review, highlights a potential health risk associated with transitioning from smoking to vaping.
According to The Global Filipino Magazine, Kim highlighted that the study marks a significant milestone, being the first large-scale population-based research to showcase the elevated risk of lung cancer among e-cigarette users after they quit smoking.
The research looked at 4,329,288 individuals who used to smoke regular cigarettes. Information was collected from 2012 to 2014, then again in 2018, with another check in December 2021. In this last check, they discovered that 53,354 people had lung cancer, and 6,351 had died from it.
The results revealed that individuals who previously smoked but switched to e-cigarettes experienced a greater occurrence of lung cancer and associated fatalities in contrast to those who quit smoking without resorting to e-cigarettes.
Kim stressed the necessity of acknowledging the potential risks associated with e-cigarettes when devising strategies to help people quit smoking. E-cigarettes operate by heating a liquid, often called e-liquid or vape juice, to generate vapor that users inhale.
This vaporization process typically involves heating nicotine-infused liquid with flavorings and other additives. However, it's important to note that this vapor can also contain various harmful substances, including tobacco-derived compounds like acrolein and formaldehyde, as well as heavy metals such as lead and nickel.
These substances can pose potential health risks when inhaled into the lungs, contributing to respiratory issues and other health concerns associated with vaping.
A woman blows smoke from an electronic cigarette as she takes part in a vaping trick competition during VapeCon in Pretoria on September 1, 2019. - VapeCon is South Africa's largest convention dedicated to electronic cigarettes and vaping. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP) (Photo : Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)
Evaluating the Health Risks of Vaping
While some health experts view e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to traditional smoking and advocate for their use in smoking cessation efforts, lingering doubts regarding their long-term safety remain.
University of Cincinnati associate professor Ashley Merianos emphasized the risks associated with harmful chemicals present in vaping products, warning of potential lung damage and respiratory problems. She underscored the uncertainties surrounding the lasting health impacts of vaping, especially its possible connection to cancer.
Although current research indicates that short-term vaping does not lead to a higher number of cancer cases, recent studies, such as the one conducted in South Korea, hint at potential long-term hazards for individuals who transition from smoking to e-cigarettes. Additional investigation is necessary to ascertain the magnitude of these risks.
