People with a history of e-cigarette use have a higher risk of developing both lung and bladder cancer than never smokers or even users of regular cigarettes, according to study findings researchers reported during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

Using data from the National Health Interview Survey database for 2016–2018, the researchers looked at lung and bladder cancer incidence among patients aged 18 years or older and compared them to patients’ smoking histories. Although use of both traditional and e-cigarettes increased patients’ risk for those cancers, it was higher among e-cigarette users. Additionally, e-cigarette users were significantly younger at bladder cancer diagnosis than either of the other groups.

“Tobacco smoking has been concretely proven to increase the risk of many cancers, including lung and bladder cancer,” the researchers said. “To date, there is little data on how e-cigarette smoking impacts the incidence of these cancers. Our findings showed that compared to never smokers, history of e-cigarette smoking was associated with increased risk of lung and bladder cancer development and earlier bladder cancer diagnosis.”

In its Use of E-Cigarettes and Vaping position statement, ONS calls for nurses “to educate the public, particularly parents and children, about the adverse effects of e-cigarettes and vaping.” Read ONS’s full position statement and learn more about e-cigarettes in the E-Cigarettes and Vaping Learning Library.