Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?

E-cigarettes (aka vapes) don’t contain the same cancer-causing tar found in tobacco products. So, on the surface, vaping might seem safer than smoking. But vapes are still loaded with chemicals that are associated with lung cancer and other serious lung diseases.

What does vaping do to your lungs?

Battery-powered vape devices heat a pod of liquid, which creates an aerosol mist that you inhale. This mist looks like harmless water vapor. But every time you breathe it in, you coat the inside of your lungs in a variety of harmful chemicals that then enter your bloodstream.

That includes nicotine, a type of stimulant found in tobacco products. Though vapes don’t have tobacco, they do still have nicotine. And that’s what makes vaping just as addictive as cigarette-smoking, warns pulmonologist and lung specialist Humberto Choi, MD.

“Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that changes your brain chemistry,” Dr. Choi explains. “The amount of nicotine in a vape varies widely. Some devices have as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.”

Does vaping cause cancer?

It’s not yet clear whether vaping causes cancer. But that’s only because cancer takes a while to develop, and vapes haven’t been around all that long.

“Lung cancer doesn’t develop suddenly,” Dr. Choi notes. “When people with a history of smoking develop lung cancer, it’s usually decades after they started the habit — often in their 60s or later. The damage that causes cells to become cancerous occurs gradually over years.”

To date, there aren’t any verified cases of lung cancer related to vaping. But Dr. Choi says it’s definitely possible.

“We already know vaping harms the lungs,” he points out. “Only time will tell if vaping also causes lung cancer, but the potential is certainly there.”

The chemicals in vape liquids have already been linked to lung diseases like:

• EVALI, a serious inflammatory lung condition
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)

Vaping has also been found to contribute to heart disease and affect your ability to be physically active. So, whether or not vaping causes lung cancer, it still brings plenty of health concerns.

Chemicals inhaled when you vape

Liquid vaping solutions aren’t just made with water. In fact, there may be thousands of chemicals in them.

“Vape liquid includes various substances mixed with nicotine,” Dr. Choi explains. “The effects of inhaling them aren’t yet fully clear, but we know that many of these substances have the potential to cause harm.”

Plus, he says that it’s hard to know exactly what you’re inhaling because the chemicals vary by manufacturer and device. And although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates vapes, products from overseas continue to enter the U.S. marketplace without being properly vetted.

Here’s a look at some of the chemicals that have been found in vapes.

Cancer-causing chemicals

“Many chemicals in vapes are known carcinogens, which means they increase your risk of cancer,” Dr. Choi clarifies. Specifically, vapes include:

• Acetaldehyde: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says this chemical, often used in perfumes and disinfectants, is a “probable human carcinogen.”
• Benzene: This air pollutant from car exhaust and other fumes is known for giving gasoline its strong smell. It’s linked with a higher risk of leukemia, in particular.
• Formaldehyde: The key ingredient in embalming fluid is a known carcinogen. It’s been found to cause leukemia and a rare type of head and neck cancer.
• Toxic metals: Lead, chromium, nickel and cadmium have all been found in e-cigarettes. Each is linked to health risks, like heavy metal toxicity and cancers in the lungs, kidneys, prostate and pancreas.

Other harmful chemicals in vapes

In addition to nicotine and other cancer-causing agents, vapes often contain these other harmful chemicals:

• Acrolein is a weed killer known to cause permanent lung damage.
• Diacetyl, a chemical used in flavorings, can cause a serious respiratory condition known as popcorn lung.
• Diethylene glycol, a solvent used in antifreeze, can cause kidney disease and neurological issues.
• Propylene glycol is a potentially toxic chemical found in paint solvents and antifreeze.
• Other heavy metals, like tin and manganese, can lead to various health issues.

“There are so many substances in vapes that can cause harm,” Dr. Choi reiterates. “We’re seeing so many cases of lung disease and lung injury from vaping that we know it’s definitely not safe.”

Artificial flavors in vapes

Nicotine itself has a bad taste, which can be covered up in vapes with flavors that range from minty menthol to fruity mango and desserty caramel cheesecake.

“We don’t have much information yet about whether the flavoring itself can cause lung problems or other health concerns,” Dr. Choi notes. “What we do know is that flavoring often attracts teenagers and young adults to vaping — and young people are especially susceptible to addiction.”

An important note: Technically, flavored vape pods have been banned in the U.S. since a 2025 Supreme Court ruling. But for now, they’re still widely available for purchase.

What to do if you vape/been affected

If you currently vape or smoke, or if you have in the past, don’t ignore signs of lung issues, like:

• Chest pain when you laugh, cough or breathe deeply
• A cough that lingers
• Getting tired or “running out of steam” faster than usual during physical activity
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Wheezing

“Young people don’t always seek medical care because they feel like they should be in good health, even when their symptoms suggest otherwise,” Dr. Choi says.

And whether or not you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s important to try to kick the vaping habit. Smoking cessation tools, including counseling, can help.

“The same tools and strategies that we recommend for people who smoke cigarettes can also help you quit vaping,” he emphasizes. “They can help you get to a place that will improve your health and your quality of life in the long term.”

Just know that as you scale back, it’s normal to experience nicotine withdrawal. It can cause cravings, irritability, headaches, nausea and other withdrawal symptoms. But they’re only temporary — and they’ll lessen with each day you’re vape-free.