A study conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield Hallam has explored the cardiovascular effects of quitting smoking through different delivery methods. The work compares nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and traditional nicotine replacement therapy to see how each impacts blood vessels and heart health. The investigation is reported as part of findings listed in a reputable medical journal, BMC Medicine.
In this study, 248 adult smokers who averaged ten or more cigarettes daily and who were motivated to quit with professional support were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the first used 18 mg/mL nicotine electronic cigarettes, the second used nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, and the third followed a course of standard nicotine replacement therapy.
Researchers assessed vascular health at three key points: baseline, three months, and six months. The evaluation involved vascular stress testing along with specific reactivity tests using acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, in addition to regular blood pressure measurements. Across all three groups, the results indicated similar patterns of vascular health change. In other words, none of the quitting strategies demonstrated a distinct cardiovascular advantage over the others within the study period.
It is well established that smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and cessation produces meaningful reductions in risk. Electronic cigarettes, whether they deliver nicotine or not, have gained popularity as tools to support quitting due to their substitutive role and user-friendly appeal. This research represents one of the early efforts to document how these products might affect blood vessel function and cardiac health in people who are trying to quit. The study also underscores that the act of quitting, rather than the precise method of nicotine delivery, plays the central role in improving cardiovascular outcomes over time. Further research will help clarify longer-term effects and identify any subgroup differences that could influence recommendations for quitting strategies in clinical and public health settings.