Vaping Troubles: Exploring the Link Between E-Cigarettes and Oral Lesions in India’s Urban Youth

Sep 30, 2026

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Rising e‑cigarette popularity among Indian youth is linked to concerns about oral mucosal lesions, yet Indian-specific evidence remains limited. A cross‑sectional study of 300 urban participants aged 18–35 compared 150 e‑cigarette users with 150 nonusers using standardized oral examinations and structured questionnaires. Results showed higher prevalence of leukoplakia and oral ulcers in users, with a dose‑response effect and low risk awareness overall, supporting targeted public health interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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Original Research Vaping Troubles: Exploring the Link Between E‑Cigarettes and Oral Lesions in India’s Urban Youth Gowrishankar Sekar1, Pratheeth Gundlapalle2, Senthilkumar Elango3, Sangamithra Surendran4, K. Anitha5, Acchuthakrishnan KA6, Nagappan Nagappan3 1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India, 2Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, C.K.S Theja Institute of Dental Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India, 3Department of Public Health Dentistry, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India, 4Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India, 5Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, RVS Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, 6Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India Submitted: 28‑Aug‑2025 Revised: 07‑Sep‑2025 Accepted: 13‑Sep‑2025 Published: 17‑Dec‑2025 Abstract Background: The rising popularity of e‑cigarettes among Indian youth raises concerns about potential oral health consequences, particularly mucosal lesions. Limited data exist on this association in the Indian context. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of oral lesions among young e‑cigarette users and examine usage patterns and risk awareness. Materials and Methods: This is a cross‑sectional study of 300 urban Indians (150 users, 150 nonusers) aged 18–35 years. Participants underwent standardized oral examinations and completed structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses included prevalence ratios (Poisson regression) and Chi‑square tests. Results: E‑cigarette users showed significantly higher prevalence of leukoplakia (9.3% vs. 3.3%, relative risk [RR] = 2.80, P = 0.038) and oral ulcers (8.0% vs. 2.7%, RR = 3.00, P = 0.045), daily users had 2.1 × higher lesion risk (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–3.52, P = 0.005), and only 15.3% of users recognized oral health risks versus 28.7% of nonusers (P = 0.008) . Conclusion: E‑cigarette use was independently associated with oral lesions, demonstrating clear dose–response relationships. Critical knowledge gaps exist regarding vaping risks, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions Keywords: E‑cigarettes, India, leukoplakia, oral ulcer Introduction The rapid proliferation of electronic cigarettes (e‑cigarettes) among young adults in urban India has become a growing public health concern. Marketed as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco, e‑cigarettes have gained popularity due to their sleek designs, diverse flavors, and perceived lower health risks.[1] However, emerging research indicates that e‑cigarette aerosols—containing nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and | Access this article online | | | --- | --- | | Quick Response Code:
| Website: [https://journals.lww.com/jpbs](https://journals.lww.com/jpbs) | | | DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1505_25 | various flavoring agents—may contribute to adverse oral health effects, including mucosal irritation, leukoplakia, and an increased susceptibility to periodontal diseases.[2] | Address for correspondence: Dr. Nagappan Nagappan, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chengalpet - 603 103, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: [nagappan.dent@gmail.com](nagappan.dent@gmail.com) | | --- | | This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
For reprints [contact:](contact: WKHLRPMedknow_reprints@wolterskluwer.com)[ WKHLRPMedknow_reprints@wolterskluwer.com]

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective?

To assess the association between e‑cigarette use and oral lesions among young adults in urban India, including prevalence, usage patterns, and risk awareness.

How was oral health assessed in the study?

Participants underwent standardized oral examinations and completed structured questionnaires, followed by statistical analyses comparing users and nonusers.

What oral lesions were more common among e‑cigarette users?

E‑cigarette users had significantly higher prevalence of leukoplakia and oral ulcers, and daily users showed increased lesion risk with a dose–response relationship.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by jayni