0
0
Columbus, OH – A groundbreaking study from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) and the College of Public Health reveals that combining vaping with traditional smoking significantly amplifies lung cancer risk. The study, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, is the first to quantify this increased risk, finding that individuals who use both e-cigarettes and cigarettes are four times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to those who smoke alone.
Study Design and Methods
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, claiming approximately 1.8 million lives in 2020. Persistent tobacco smoking accounts for about 87% of these cases, according to the American Thoracic Society. To investigate the compounded risk of dual tobacco use, researchers conducted a case-control study involving 4,975 lung cancer patients and 27,294 healthy controls, all from the Columbus, Ohio area. Participants were matched for age, gender, and race to ensure accuracy.
The study uncovered that individuals who combined vaping with cigarette smoking were eight times more likely to have lung cancer compared to those who did not use these products. Furthermore, those who engaged in dual use had a fourfold increased risk of developing lung cancer compared to smokers alone.
Key Findings
Dr. Randall Harris, MD, PhD, the study’s corresponding author and a professor of epidemiology at the College of Public Health, emphasized the novel nature of the findings. “Our findings provide the first evidence that smoking in combination with vaping significantly increases the risk of lung cancer compared to smoking alone. Most people know that tobacco smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals, but there is less awareness about the chemicals in vape vapors,” Harris noted.
Lead author Dr. Marisa Bittoni, PhD, from the medical oncology division, expressed concern over the study’s implications, particularly for youth and young adults. “This study presents clear evidence showing that vaping in addition to smoking can increase your risk for lung cancer. This is especially troubling given the increasing use of these products among young people,” Bittoni said. “More research on the health effects of alternative tobacco products is critically needed to support evidence-based regulation.”
Public Health Implications
The study underscores the need for regulatory bodies to consider the combined effects of vaping and smoking in their policies. Researchers urge regulators to address the health impacts of inhaled flavorings and nicotine concentrations in e-cigarettes.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute and the Richard B. Early Cancer Research Fund. David Carbone, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Thoracic Oncology Center at OSUCCC – James, also contributed as a co-author.
Tobacco Research at Ohio State
The OSUCCC – James is a leader in tobacco research through its Center for Tobacco Research, which integrates expertise from multiple disciplines to study tobacco use and its health impacts. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the center plays a critical role in informing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of tobacco products through its Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) grant.
This pivotal study reinforces the pressing need for continued research and regulation to mitigate the health risks associated with tobacco and vaping products.
