Podcast Summary: Science Vs – "Vaping: Does It Really Cause Cancer?"
Spotify Studios, April 23, 2026
Host: Wendy Zuckerman
Co-Host/Senior Producer: Rose Rimler
Key Guests: Professor Bernard Stewart (University of New South Wales), Professor Leon Schaub (University College London), Professor Becky Freeman (University of Sydney)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode investigates alarming media headlines and a recent scientific review suggesting that vaping (e-cigarettes) is as dangerous as smoking and may cause cancer. The Science Vs team puts these claims under the microscope, examining the quality of the evidence, disagreements within the scientific community, and the implications for public health. The episode also explores whether vaping is effective for smoking cessation and how Big Tobacco may be muddying the waters.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Breaking News: Vaping “Causes Cancer”?
- Start (00:00)
- Introduction of the new scientific review linking vaping to lung and oral cancer.
- Headlines claim vaping is as risky as conventional cigarettes, contradicting past consensus.
“Vaping is as bad as cigarette smoking. Now, if this is true, it is a huge switcheroo for science and also for Science Vs...”
Wendy Zuckerman, 00:58
- A decade ago, Science Vs told listeners that vaping was safer than smoking based on expert consensus (01:24).
- Some researchers challenge the new paper, calling it "misleading," "problematic," and "lacking credibility" (01:32–02:30).
2. What Does the Science Actually Show?
“Those chemicals are detectable. In other words, they have been absorbed into the body and not just exhaled.”
Prof. Bernard Stewart, 07:08
“All of that data...lead us inexorably to the conclusion that vaping is likely to cause oral and lung cancer.”
Prof. Bernard Stewart, 08:44
3. The Rebuttal: What Are Other Scientists Saying?
“It doesn't seem like a realistic use condition for a human.”
Prof. Leon Schaub on rodent studies, 10:19
- The “dose makes the poison”: Carcinogen levels in vapers are detectable but much lower than in smokers—uncertain if at a harmful threshold (12:29).
“It’s unclear whether this lower level of exposure ... represents an actual risk for cancer formation.”
Prof. Leon Schaub, 12:29
- Most experts: Vaping could carry a risk but current evidence isn’t strong enough to assert it causes cancer in humans (13:19–13:48).
4. So Should We Wait for More Evidence?
- Stewart’s response to criticism is blunt:
“The criticisms are absurd, and I treat them with complete contempt.”
Prof. Bernard Stewart, 14:02
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Stewart argues that waiting for decades of data before warning the public would be irresponsible—cites the long lag before cigarettes were “proven” to cause cancer (15:35–16:12).
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Rose highlights risk of overstatement “getting out over their skis” and the need for caution in scientific messaging (16:12).
5. Where Do Most Scientists Stand?
- The Science Vs team surveyed 35 researchers in vaping and tobacco control (16:43–17:07):
- Most: “We don’t know, but it’s possible” that vaping causes cancer.
- If it does, the relative risk (how much it increases cancer risk) is still unknown.
6. Is Vaping as Bad as Smoking?
- Headlines (especially in Australia) claim “vaping is not safer than cigarettes,” but Stewart’s paper doesn’t systematically compare the two; the line equating the risks is more a throwaway (22:25–22:37).
“For the whole paper, the scientists are breaking up with vaping...then toss off, 'Oh, and you’re bad in bed too, and you’re just as bad as smoking.'”
Wendy Zuckerman, 22:51
- Smoking’s dangers remain “stratospherically high.”
“Two out of three people who continue to smoke...will die as a result of their addiction. It is so deadly.”
Prof. Becky Freeman, 23:25
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Some actual studies suggest vaping and smoking may be equally bad for cardiovascular problems (stroke, heart disease, metabolic dysfunction), though these studies have their own methodological issues (24:04–25:12).
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Despite uncertainty, when it comes to cancer risk and levels of exposure to carcinogens, smokers have far higher risk than vapers (26:28–27:17).
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Surveyed scientists overwhelmingly say smoking is more dangerous:
“90% said smoking is more dangerous than vaping and the rest said probably.” (27:32).
7. Does Vaping Help People Quit Smoking?
- Vaping is somewhat more effective than patches or gum, but the absolute rate of quitting is low—about 10% (30:06–30:20).
- According to Cochrane reviews: 8–11 out of 100 people quit smoking with e-cigs, 6 with patches/gum, 4 with other methods (30:21–31:09).
- Most people who quit with vapes continue vaping long-term (80% still vaping a year later), while very few stick with patches or gum (32:12–32:41).
8. New Generation of Non-Smokers Addicted to Vaping
- Majority of young adult vapers never regularly smoked—so the “is it safer than smoking?” comparison is increasingly irrelevant (33:14–34:06).
“I need to vape in the middle of the night. I can’t go a day at work without having a vape...all I do is think about it.”
Prof. Becky Freeman, 34:06
9. Role of Big Tobacco and Industry Influence
- Most major vaping brands are owned by tobacco companies.
- Industry tactics include funding research and sowing doubt.
- One review found ~35% of vaping-related health studies had industry ties (37:43).
- Industry-funded studies are more likely to report results favorable to vaping (38:03–38:23).
“My budget, the health department’s budget pales in comparison to that of Big Tobacco and Big Vape.”
Prof. Becky Freeman, 39:17
10. Concluding Thoughts: The Bottom Line
- Vaping: Bad for you. Smoking: Worse.
- Vaping possibly causes cancer and heart/lung problems, but evidence in humans is not definitive yet.
- If you smoke and want to quit, other options (patches, gum) should be tried before vaping.
- People who never smoked should not start vaping; it can lead to addiction and harms.
“Even though we know vaping is safer than smoking, we may still find cause for concern.”
Song lyric from expert-written tune, 40:14 (paraphrased)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Did we lie to you through song? Will we fall on our own batad? I mean, will we be hoisted on our own petard?”
Wendy Zuckerman, 01:32
- “If your fingers switch into vaping…”
Recurring musical gag, e.g., 02:30
- “You know, if there was no potential benefit to vaping, it would be very easy to close the book on this…”
Rose Rimler, 17:27
- “I try leaving [the vape] in my car, and all I do is think about it.”
Prof. Becky Freeman, 34:06
Important Timestamps for Segments
- 00:00–02:33 — Setting up the episode & headlines
- 04:19–11:41 — Reviewing the new “vaping causes cancer” paper & Stewart interview
- 11:41–16:31 — Rebuttals and expert critiques (Leon Schaub)
- 16:43–18:39 — Science Vs' survey results & discussion about scientific uncertainty
- 21:16–27:32 — Is vaping as bad as smoking?
- 30:06–32:41 — Effectiveness of vaping for quitting smoking
- 33:14–34:24 — Non-smoking teens/young adults now addicted to vaping
- 34:28–39:17 — Role of Big Tobacco, industry-funded research, and spreading doubt
- 40:14–43:31 — Conclusions, public health messaging, and final thoughts
Final Takeaways (with the show's signature tone)
- Vaping may not be the miracle cure nor the death sentence that headlines suggest—science is still out.
- Smoking remains far more dangerous, especially when it comes to cancer. Vaping is not harmless and should not be ignored, especially as a new generation picks it up.
- Industry influence and scientific uncertainty both drive confusion in the public.
- If you want to quit smoking, try gum or patches first, and definitely don’t take up vaping if you never smoked.
- As always, “the findings we have can’t tell us what’ll happen long term...but we may still find cause for concern.” (song lyric, 40:14)
For further detail, see the episode transcript and references in the show notes (78 citations!).
