COLUMBUS, Ohio — A study published by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center states those who vape and smoke are four times as likely to develop lung cancer compared to people who just smoke.

What You Need To Know

  • A study published through by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center states those who vape and smoke are four times as likely to develop lung cancer compared to people who just smoke

  • A press release from the center states that this the first student that offers evidence of the increased risk associated with vaping and smoking

  • The study looked at 4,975 people with lung cancer and 27,294 without, studying their smoking and vaping habits

  • They found it was eight times more common for people with lung cancer to both smoke and vape

A press release from the center states that this the first student that offers evidence of the increased risk associated with vaping and smoking.

“Our findings provide the first evidence that smoking in combination with vaping significantly increases the risk of lung cancer compared to smoking alone,” said Dr. Randall Harris, corresponding author of the study and professor of epidemiology, in the release. “Most people know that tobacco smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals but, overall, there is less knowledge about the chemicals that are inhaled through vape vapors.”

The release states that 1.8 million people died in 2020 from lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths.

The study looked at 4,975 people with lung cancer and 27,294 without, studying their smoking and vaping habits. They found it was eight times more common for people with lung cancer to both smoke and vape.

They also found individuals who smoke and vape have a four times higher risk of developing lung cancer, when compared against those who only smoke.

“From a public health perspective, we have always been concerned about dual-use of both traditional and e-cig products. This study presents clear evidence showing that vaping in addition to smoking can increase your risk for lung cancer. This is especially concerning given the rate of youth and young adults using these products,” said Lead Author Marisa Bittoni, a researcher in the medical oncology division in the College of Medicine, in the release. “More research about the health effects of alternative tobacco products is critically needed to put science behind the regulation of the tobacco industry.”

The study was published by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and College of Public Health.

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