As a hypnotherapist specialising in smoking and vaping habits, I regularly encounter people who believe vaping is a "safe" alternative to smoking. I read recently that there was an established link between nicotine and cancer, so I decided it was time for a deep dive. What I turned up revealed concerning links between vaping, nicotine, and cancer risk, even though the marketing suggests otherwise, Here's what the latest research tells us, and it is rather alarming.
Many people turn to vaping believing it's harmless compared to traditional cigarettes. This perception has been fueled by marketing campaigns that emphasize the absence of tobacco and the reduced number of chemicals compared to cigarette smoke. However, recent research paints a more complex and concerning picture.
The reality is that while vaping may contain fewer toxins than cigarette smoke, it's far from risk-free. The long-term health consequences are still being studied, but the emerging evidence suggests significant cause for concern, particularly regarding cancer risk.
Contrary to popular belief, nicotine itself may play a role in cancer development. Research has shown that nicotine can affect several critical steps in cancer formation and progression. Studies indicate that nicotine promotes tumorigenesis by influencing cell proliferation, angiogenesis (blood vessel formation that feeds tumors), and apoptotic pathways (programmed cell death).
In laboratory studies, nicotine has been found to speed up cell growth in small doses, potentially creating conditions that favor tumor development. This challenges the long-held assumption that nicotine is merely an addictive substance without direct carcinogenic properties.
Recent systematic reviews have found substantial evidence linking e-cigarette exposure to oxidative stress and cellular damage. This cellular-level harm creates an environment where cancer can more easily develop and spread. The body's natural defense mechanisms against cancer become compromised when cells are under constant oxidative stress.
Perhaps most concerning for cancer survivors, research suggests that nicotine may cause cancer aggravation and increase the likelihood of disease recurrence. Studies have also shown that nicotine can create resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, potentially making cancer treatment less effective.
I remember my own brother vaping whilst undergoing chemotherapy, not knowing how he was possibly derailing his own recovery. Unfortunately he didn't survive.
A significant 2024 study found that former cigarette smokers who had quit for five years or more but continued vaping were at greater risk of lung cancer-related death than ex-smokers who had quit completely. This finding suggests that vaping may not provide the cancer risk reduction that many assume.
Despite being marketed as "cleaner" than cigarettes, vaping products contain several known carcinogens:
Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen that can cause lung cancer and other health issues
Benzene: Associated with leukemia and other blood cancers
Heavy metals: Including lead, tin, and nickel, which can accumulate in lung tissue
Diacetyl: A chemical that can cause severe lung disease when inhaled
A 2025 study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found evidence of elevated carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways in exclusive e-cigarette users. This suggests that even people who have never smoked traditional cigarettes may be at increased cancer risk from vaping alone.
One of the most challenging aspects of vaping is how it reinforces the same habits as smoking. Many clients come to me hoping to break their smoking habit after switching to vaping, only to find themselves maintaining the same behavioural patterns and nicotine dependence as before. This habit continuation means ongoing exposure to cancer-promoting substances.
The high nicotine concentrations in many vaping products could actually strengthen these ingrained patterns. Some vaping products contain nicotine levels equivalent to multiple cigarettes, which can make the habit more deeply entrenched and challenging to change.
As someone who has helped countless clients overcome their smoking and vaping habits, I've observed that successful change requires addressing both the physical patterns and the psychological triggers. Hypnotherapy can be particularly effective because it:
Addresses the unconscious triggers that drive the habit
Helps reprogram the mind's automatic responses to stress and cravings
Builds new, healthier behavioural patterns
Reinforces motivation by connecting with deeper reasons for change
Many clients find that hypnotherapy provides the mental clarity and emotional strength needed to break free from nicotine entirely, rather than simply switching from one habit to another.
While the full extent of vaping's cancer risks may not be known for decades, the emerging evidence is clear: vaping is not the safe alternative it's marketed to be. The potential for cancer development, the presence of known carcinogens, and the maintenance of a nicotine habit all point to significant health risks.
For those currently vaping or considering it as a way to change their smoking habit, I strongly encourage exploring proven methods that don't involve continued nicotine exposure. The goal should be complete freedom from nicotine, not just a different way of consuming it.
If you're ready to break free from nicotine-based habits entirely, whether from cigarettes or vaping, help is available. Hypnotherapy offers a powerful, natural approach to changing these patterns that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the habit.
Remember, every day you remain nicotine-free is a day your body can begin healing and reducing your cancer risk. The journey to freedom from nicotine habits starts with a single decision – the decision to prioritize your long-term health over familiar patterns.
If you're ready to change your smoking or vaping habits, we are here to help. Contact PlymHypnos Hypnotherapy to learn how we can support your journey to complete nicotine, smoking and vaping freedom and better health.
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