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

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.