“Vaping damages your DNA just like smoking.”

One study found some shared molecular changes. It measured a biomarker, not disease — and it doesn’t show vapers get cancer.

The evidence

DNA methylation studies look at chemical tags on DNA. They’re an early warning signal, not proof of illness.

A 2024 study in Cancer Research found some of the same methylation changes in vapers as in smokers.54 It’s worth taking seriously and following up.

But a biomarker change isn’t a disease, and “some shared changes” isn’t “just like smoking”. Headlines tend to skip that distinction.

Questions about your own situation? The AI helper answers from this site.

Why this site exists

Nicotine hooked me. Smoke nearly killed me. Vapour gave me my breath back.