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

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.

To assess the prevalence of oral lesions among young e-cigarette users and examine usage patterns and risk awareness.

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.

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).

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.