The Morning Edition An Australian study linked vaping to cancer for the first time. Why all the backlash?
7 snips
Apr 5, 2026 Angus Dalton, science reporter who covers health and research, unpacks a new Australian review linking vaping to lung and oral cancer. He explains how the review was done, the chemicals and mechanisms that worry researchers, why young never-smokers are a concern, and why the study has provoked strong scientific pushback.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Review Claims Vaping Likely Causes Cancer
- A UNSW-led review combined animal, cellular and chemical analyses to argue vaping is likely linked to lung and oral cancer.
- The paper synthesised DNA damage, inflammation and toxicant findings across studies rather than presenting new human epidemiological proof.
Comparing Vapers To Smokers Masks Risks
- Authors challenge the idea vaping is clearly safer than smoking and say comparing vapers to smokers can hide vape-specific harms.
- Bernard Stewart used a "knife versus machine gun" metaphor to argue smokers shouldn't be the only comparator.
Continue Pharmacy Vapes For Smoking Cessation
- If you're using pharmacy-supplied vapes to quit smoking, continue doing so — smoking remains more harmful.
- Public health experts interviewed urged people not to abandon cessation vapes based on early warnings.