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# Review shows cardiovascular impact of smoke-free nicotine alternatives
- URL: https://med-techinsights.com/review-shows-cardiovascular-impact-of-smoke-free-nicotine-alternatives/
- Published: 2026-08-18T10:28:26.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:35:05.000Z
- Description: A new narrative review by Imperial Brands Science published in the peer-reviewed academic literature brings together a broad body of scientific evidence to assess how next generation nicotine products (NGP), including vapes, oral nicotine pouches and heated tobacco, may affect cardiovascular health
- Author: Oliver Johnson
- Tags: Research & Development, News

A new [narrative review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42389254/?ref=med-techinsights.com) by Imperial Brands Science published in the peer-reviewed academic literature brings together a broad body of scientific evidence to assess how next generation nicotine products (NGP), including vapes, oral nicotine pouches and heated tobacco, may affect cardiovascular health compared with cigarette smoking. 

Smoking is a cause of serious disease in smokers, including heart disease. Science demonstrates the smoke created by burning tobacco damages the lining of blood vessels, triggers inflammation, and contributes to the gradual build-up of fatty plaques in arteries, increasing the risks of illnesses like heart attacks and strokes. 

NGP eliminate the need to burn tobacco, and don’t generate smoke. Research shows the aerosols they produce contain fewer and substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes. 

Drawing on over 200 references, including laboratory experiments, clinical studies and population data, the review demonstrates that moving away from cigarettes can also reduce key drivers of cardiovascular harm. 

Highlight findings from [the publication include: ](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2024.1395670/full?ref=med-techinsights.com)

- **Lower exposure to toxicants:** Switching from cigarettes to NGP is associated with substantial reductions in harmful chemicals linked to cardiovascular disease; in some cases, with levels in the body approaching those seen after complete smoking cessation.
- **Reduced impact on blood vessels:** Laboratory models show significantly less damage to vascular cells and fewer early changes associated with plaque formation in arteries.
- **Improved biological indicators:** Clinical studies report significant decreases in biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood clotting – processes proven to play an important role in heart disease development.
- **Consistent real-world trends:** Population studies suggest that people who transition from cigarettes to NGP tend to have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who continue smoking.

“The evidence in our latest review is clear; whether it’s in the lab, changes in people who switch to NGP, or patterns in larger populations, we see encouraging signs that the absence of cigarette smoke reduces the drivers of cardiovascular damage,” said Matthew Stevenson, Scientific Substantiation Senior Manager and co-author of the study. 

“While NGP are not risk free and should be designed for – and marketed to – adults who smoke and existing nicotine consumers only, the current weight-of-evidence indicates a significant and meaningful reduction in cardiovascular risk factors compared to continued smoking, especially when cigarettes are fully replaced,” Stevenson added.

The review concludes that as NGP use grows, continued monitoring and high-quality research will be essential to better understand their long-term impact on consumer health, and to reassure regulators of their promising public health potential.

Read the full study [here](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42389254/?ref=med-techinsights.com).