17 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has raised serious concerns about the belief that switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes is a safer alternative. According to the findings, smokers who transition to e-cigarettes may continue to face — and in some cases increase — their risk of heart attack, challenging the perception that vaping is a harmless or effective quitting strategy.
The Myth of “Safer” Smoking Alternatives
For years, e-cigarettes have been marketed as a less harmful substitute for conventional smoking and a stepping stone toward quitting. However, health experts caution that nicotine exposure in any form carries cardiovascular risks, and replacing cigarettes with e-cigarettes does not eliminate those dangers.
The ICMR study highlights that many individuals who switch to vaping do not quit nicotine altogether. Instead, they maintain prolonged exposure, which can continue to damage blood vessels, elevate heart rate, and increase blood pressure — all known risk factors for heart disease.
What the ICMR Study Found
The study analysed patterns among smokers who either continued smoking, switched to e-cigarettes, or quit entirely. Researchers observed that individuals who shifted to e-cigarettes showed no significant reduction in heart attack risk compared to regular smokers. In some cases, dual use — smoking cigarettes while vaping — further increased cardiovascular strain.
Key observations included:
- Persistent nicotine dependence
- Increased inflammation and oxidative stress
- Impaired blood vessel function
These physiological effects contribute directly to the development of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.
Why E-Cigarettes Still Harm the Heart
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine through aerosolised liquids that may contain harmful chemicals and fine particles. While they do not burn tobacco, they can still:
- Trigger adrenaline release, increasing heart workload
- Damage the inner lining of arteries
- Promote clot formation
Experts note that nicotine itself — regardless of delivery method — is toxic to the cardiovascular system when used long term.
Switching Is Not Quitting
One of the most concerning trends identified by researchers is that many users see e-cigarettes as a permanent replacement rather than a temporary cessation aid. This results in continuous nicotine exposure, often at unpredictable doses.
Health professionals stress that harm reduction strategies should not be confused with harm elimination. Simply switching devices does not undo years of damage caused by smoking.
Why Quitting Smoking Completely Matters
According to cardiologists and public health experts, complete cessation of smoking and nicotine use remains the most effective way to reduce heart attack risk. Evidence shows that quitting smoking:
- Lowers heart attack risk within months
- Improves blood circulation
- Reduces inflammation and clotting risk
- Enhances overall lung and heart function
The ICMR study reinforces that partial measures are insufficient when it comes to cardiovascular health.
Public Health Implications
India faces a growing burden of heart disease, and tobacco use is one of its leading contributors. The findings raise concerns about the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes, particularly among younger populations who may perceive vaping as harmless.
Public health experts warn that normalising e-cigarette use could undermine decades of progress in tobacco control and create a new generation dependent on nicotine.
Expert Advice: The Only Safe Path
Doctors and researchers agree that there is no safe form of smoking. While nicotine replacement therapies under medical supervision may help some individuals quit, unsupervised use of e-cigarettes carries its own risks.
The ICMR study’s message is clear: quitting entirely — not switching — is the safest and most effective way to protect heart health.
Conclusion
The ICMR findings challenge the narrative that e-cigarettes offer a safe escape from smoking-related harm. As evidence mounts linking vaping to heart risks, experts emphasize that complete smoking cessation remains the only reliable solution to reducing heart attack risk and improving long-term health.
Summary
An ICMR study warns that switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes may not reduce heart attack risk, reinforcing that quitting smoking completely is the only proven way to protect heart health.