University of Canterbury Toxicology Study Links Vaping Components to Cancer Risks

A University of Canterbury study warns of carcinogenic risks in vapes, sparking a debate between health researchers and New Zealand’s vaping industry groups.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 3:36 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Chemical Transformation and Predicted Human Risk

Lead author and toxicology professor Ian Shaw conducted the research by analyzing the chemical composition of vaporized e-liquids. The study focused on what happens to "vape juice" when it is subjected to high heat, finding that the process creates harmful substances such as formaldehyde. By comparing the calculated doses of these chemicals inhaled by vapers to doses known to trigger cancer in animal models, the researchers concluded that the risks are likely to translate to human populations. Professor Shaw noted that while definitive human data remains a decade away due to the long gestation period of cancers, the chemical parallels are too significant to ignore.

The Dual Pathway to Carcinogenesis

The research highlights two distinct ways vaping may increase cancer risk. First, chemicals produced during vaporisation can directly damage DNA, potentially making cells cancerous. Second, the study points to the indirect risk caused by chronic lung inflammation. Frequent exposure to vape aerosols can trigger an inflammatory response that forces lung cells to divide more rapidly; this accelerated division increases the statistical likelihood of genetic errors that lead to tumor production. Professor Shaw warned that exposing the lungs to chemicals that drive cell division in this manner creates a "significant harm" profile.

Industry Pushback and the Epidemiological Gap

The Vaping Industry Association of New Zealand (VIANZ) has contested the study's conclusions, labeling them as a "theoretical hazard" assessment rather than evidence of real-world harm. VIANZ Chairperson Jonathan Devery pointed out that despite two decades of global use, there is currently no epidemiological evidence directly linking vaping to cancer outcomes in humans. The industry group argues that the study conflates mechanistic data with human outcomes and emphasizes that regulated products are designed to operate under controlled conditions that limit exposure to harmful compounds.