The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and published in Medical and Life Sciences, focused on how smoking and vaping affect the human vascular system. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the vascular system—also known as the circulatory system—consists of veins, arteries, and capillaries that transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body while removing waste products. This intricate network plays a vital role in maintaining good health, and any disruption can have serious consequences.
The research team selected 31 healthy participants aged 21 to 49, including both smokers and vapers. Each participant underwent two MRI scans—one before using their respective devices and another after. During the study, participants used three different products: nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and traditional tobacco cigarettes. The scans analyzed the rate of blood flow and the oxygen saturation levels in the participants’ circulatory systems. These findings were compared to baseline scans from a control group of 10 non-smokers and non-vapers aged 21 to 33.
The results were startling. Across all three groups—regardless of whether nicotine was present—there was a significant reduction in blood flow velocity in the superficial femoral artery, a critical artery responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the lower body. Among the three groups, those using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes experienced the most severe loss in vascular function. However, the damage caused by nicotine-free e-cigarettes wasn’t far behind, demonstrating that the absence of nicotine does not equate to safety.
