Vaping Linked to Higher Ulcer Risk Than Smoking: Study

A major new study has uncovered a direct and concerning link between vaping and an increased risk of developing peptic ulcer disease, with findings suggesting the risk for active vapers may even surpass that of traditional cigarette smokers. The research, which analyzed data from 371,398 adults, was presented at the 2025 annual scientific conference of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), shedding new light on the potential gastrointestinal harms of e-cigarettes.

This revelation adds to a growing body of evidence challenging the perception of vaping as a harmless activity and underscores that its health impacts extend beyond the lungs. As endocrinologist Dr. Zukhra Pavlova noted on her Telegram channel, “If you think that a vape is a ‘soft alternative’ to tobacco, your body may not agree with you. And it’s far from just being about ulcers.”

The Study’s Alarming Findings on Vaping and Ulcers

The study presented at ACG 2025 revealed several key findings regarding the connection between e-cigarette use and peptic ulcer disease, a condition characterized by painful sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine.

• Higher Risk for Active Vapers: The risk of developing peptic ulcer disease among active vapers was found to be 27% higher than for those who had never vaped. Notably, this increased risk was even greater than the well-established risk associated with smoking conventional cigarettes, which was found to be 19% higher than for non-smokers.
• Lingering Risk for Former Vapers: The danger doesn’t immediately disappear after quitting. Former vape users still had a 13% higher probability of developing an ulcer compared to individuals who had never vaped or smoked.
• Compounding Factors: The risk was further exacerbated for individuals who also used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, or aspirin – or who had pre-existing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The combination of these factors with vaping can intensify the harm to the stomach lining.

Researchers hypothesize that the mechanism behind this increased risk involves the aerosol from e-cigarettes causing irritation to the mucosal lining of the stomach and inducing powerful oxidative stress. This process can damage the stomach walls and, crucially, slow down their natural healing and repair mechanisms, making the tissue more susceptible to ulcer formation.

Beyond Ulcers: The Systemic Dangers of Vaping

While the link to peptic ulcers is a new and significant finding, it adds to a growing list of documented health risks associated with vaping, confirmed by recent research from 2024-2025.

1. Nicotine Addiction and Mental Health

Vaping, especially with modern high-nicotine devices, can lead to rapid and strong addiction, particularly among young people whose brains are still developing. A 2025 study published by the CDC highlighted that among teen vapers, symptoms of depression and anxiety are reported up to twice as often compared to their non-vaping peers, indicating a significant impact on mental health.

2. Damage to the Lungs

Despite being marketed as a “smokeless” alternative, inhaling vape aerosol is not without consequences for the lungs. E-cigarette use has been shown to increase the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and acute lung injuries like EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). The aerosol contains known carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxic compounds that can cause inflammation and damage to lung tissue over time.

3. Cardiovascular Strain

Vaping also takes a toll on the heart and circulatory system. The nicotine delivered via vaping causes an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term, this can contribute to an increased risk of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and general wear and tear on blood vessels, potentially leading to more serious cardiovascular events.

4. Oncological (Cancer) Risks

While large-scale epidemiological data on vaping and cancer will take many more years to mature, laboratory studies are already providing concerning signals. Research has confirmed that the vapor from e-cigarettes can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death (apoptosis) in human cells. These cellular-level changes are recognized as key mechanisms on the pathway to cancer development, suggesting a plausible long-term cancer risk that cannot be ignored.

Conclusion: A Growing Body of Evidence Against Vaping’s “Safety”

The findings presented at the ACG 2025 conference add a critical new dimension to our understanding of the health risks associated with vaping. The discovery that e-cigarette use may pose an even higher risk for developing peptic ulcers than traditional smoking directly challenges the narrative that vaping is a universally “safer” or “soft” alternative. When combined with the established risks to the lungs, heart, brain, and the potential for long-term cancer development, the evidence paints a clear picture: vaping carries its own unique and serious set of health consequences.

For individuals seeking to quit smoking, it’s crucial to understand that while switching to vaping may reduce exposure to the toxins from combustion, it is not a risk-free choice. For non-smokers, especially young people, initiating vaping can introduce a host of new health problems, including a higher risk of ulcers and a powerful addiction to nicotine. This new research reinforces the message from public health experts that the only truly safe option is to avoid both smoking and vaping altogether.