International review links non-combustible nicotine products to improved cardiovascular indicators

An international review published in ‘Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine’ suggests that switching from traditional cigarettes to non-combustible nicotine products, such as heated or liquid electronic cigarettes, may improve certain cardiovascular indicators and reduce exposure to harmful substances.

Researchers Silvio Festinese and Dimitris Richter analyzed 24 studies from a pool of 891 clinical papers. The review found that individuals who transitioned to non-combustible products showed reductions in carbon monoxide exposure (COHb) and carcinogen metabolites (NNAL), alongside improvements in short-term indicators like vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress.

A clinical trial from the University of Dundee noted a 4.3% improvement in endothelial function among electronic cigarette users compared to those continuing traditional smoking, attributing this likely to the reduction of combustion-related toxins rather than the absence of nicotine.

Large-scale studies from South Korea, including research from Seoul National University and Samsung Medical Center, corroborated that switching to electronic products lowered cardiovascular disease risk compared to continued smoking. However, these studies also emphasized that complete smoking cessation remains the most effective strategy, as those who quit entirely experienced lower cardiovascular risks than those who switched to electronic alternatives.