Recent research presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has sparked conversation about vaping safety, but needs to be considered alongside established evidence about relative risks compared to smoking. Let’s break down what we know.
The Study: Immediate Vascular Effects
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences used MRI to examine how both cigarettes and e-cigarettes affect blood vessels. The study found that after using either product, participants experienced decreased blood flow velocity in the femoral artery, with e-cigarette users showing the most pronounced effect. They also observed decreased venous oxygen saturation in vapers, whether or not their e-cigarettes contained nicotine.[1]
Lead author Dr. Marianne Nabbout concluded: “If the acute consumption of an e-cigarette can have an effect that is immediately manifested at the level of the vessels, it is conceivable that the chronic use can cause vascular disease.”[1]
Looking Beyond the Headlines
While these findings deserve attention, several limitations should be considered:
- Small scale study – With only 31 participants, larger studies are needed to confirm these results
- Short-term effects only – The research measured immediate physiological responses, not long-term health outcomes
- Unknown clinical significance – Temporary vascular changes don’t necessarily translate to actual health risks
- Missing context – The relative magnitude of harm compared to traditional cigarettes wasn’t fully quantified
The Bigger Picture: What UK Health Authorities Say
The NHS is clear that “vaping is not completely risk-free, but it poses a small fraction of the risk of smoking cigarettes.”[2] This perspective is backed by substantial evidence. A major review from King’s College London found that while “vaping is not risk free (particularly for people who have never smoked), it poses a small fraction of the health risks of smoking in the short to medium term.”[5]
Public Health England’s landmark evidence review concluded that “nicotine vapes were around 95% less harmful than smoking.”[3] This remains a key reference point globally when discussing vaping safety.
The harm reduction potential is significant because “switching to vaping reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.”[4]
What Makes the Difference?
E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke.[2] While both products contain nicotine (which is addictive but not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases), vapes lack the thousands of toxic chemicals produced during tobacco combustion.
The Bottom Line
The RSNA study provides valuable insights into short-term physiological effects of vaping, but shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. For current smokers, the evidence strongly suggests that switching to vaping remains a significantly less harmful alternative. However, non-smokers should avoid starting either habit.
As research continues, our understanding will evolve, but the current consensus from UK health authorities is clear: while not harmless, vaping presents substantially lower risks than smoking cigarettes.
References:
- RSNA Press Release: “Vaping Causes Immediate Effects on Vascular Function” (November 2024) – https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/pressreleases/14_pr_target.cfm?ID=2539
- NHS: “Using e-cigarettes to stop smoking” – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/
- Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction: “A smokefree UK?” – https://gsthr.org/resources/briefing-papers/a-smokefree-uk-how-research-policy-and-vapes-have-cut-smoking-rates/a-smokefree-uk-how-research-policy-and-vapes-have-cut-smoking-rates/
- NHS Better Health: “Vaping to quit smoking” – https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/
- King’s College London: “Vaping substantially less harmful than smoking” – https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/vaping-substantially-less-harmful-than-smoking-largest-review-of-its-kind-finds
