Cancer Research UK explains that smoking is still the biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK, causing thousands of cases every year. Its guidance states that legal, regulated vapes are far less harmful than cigarettes because they generally contain fewer and lower levels of the chemicals that drive cancer and serious heart and lung disease.
For adults who already smoke, Cancer Research UK says that switching completely from cigarettes to vaping can reduce the risk of smoking‑related cancers compared with carrying on smoking, especially when vaping is used as part of a plan to quit entirely. At the same time, the charity is clear that e‑cigarettes are not risk‑free and that long‑term effects are still being studied, so they are recommended only for people who smoke and want to stop.
Cancer Research UK also stresses that people who do not smoke, particularly children and young people, should not start vaping because they would be taking on health risks and nicotine addiction without any benefit. The charity supports clear communication to correct the common myth that vaping is as harmful as smoking, while still warning that vaping is not harmless.
Yorkshire Cancer Research and regional voices
Yorkshire Cancer Research publishes vaping key messages stating that vaping products are significantly less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and can help adult smokers quit when used correctly. The charity believes that vaping has an important role to play in reducing harm from tobacco by supporting people who smoke to become smokefree, especially when combined with behavioural support and other proven quit tools.
They also argue for better access to accurate, evidence‑based information so smokers understand that switching to regulated vapes can cut their exposure to cancer‑causing chemicals compared with continuing to smoke. This includes public‑health campaigns and training for healthcare professionals so they can confidently talk to patients about vaping as a quitting aid.
At the same time, Yorkshire Cancer Research calls for strong protections against youth vaping, including responsible retailing and tighter control of marketing, social media promotion and youth‑focused packaging and flavours. Their position is that vapes should be clearly positioned and regulated as a quitting tool for adult smokers, not promoted in ways that make them attractive to children or non‑smokers.