The most commonly taken analgesic worldwide – and one of the most consumed drugs in the US – could be doing a lot more than just pain relief.

A new study from the University of Canterbury, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, analyzed the chemical composition of vape aerosol and assessed its potential cancer risk by comparing it with data from animal studies. Lead author Professor Ian Shaw, a toxicologist, explained that the research examined common vape juice ingredients and the harmful compounds produced when they are heated, such as formaldehyde. These substances were found to reach doses in vaping that are comparable to levels known to cause cancer in animals. Shaw emphasized that while vaping is likely less harmful than traditional cigarette smoking and can serve as a quitting aid, it still carries an increased cancer risk that is unacceptable for non-smokers who start vaping recreationally. The study also noted that vape chemicals can trigger lung inflammation, which may indirectly promote cancer by increasing cell division. However, definitive proof in humans would require long-term epidemiological data, which could take 15 years or more to emerge. The Vaping Industry Association of New Zealand (VIANZ) criticized the study as a theoretical risk assessment rather than one based on real human outcomes. They pointed out that after more than 20 years of global vaping use, no epidemiological evidence has yet linked vaping directly to cancer cases. VIANZ stressed that regulated vaping products limit exposure to harmful compounds under controlled conditions. Professor Shaw acknowledged that the exact cancer risk from vaping remains unquantifiable at this stage. The findings have sparked discussion about balancing harm reduction for smokers against the risks of promoting vaping to new users.