Switching to Vapes from Cigarettes? ICMR Study Warns of Higher Heart Attack Risk

New Delhi, December 18: A new study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a strong warning for anyone considering e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. Using data from 12 global studies involving more than 1.2 million participants, researchers found that e-cigarette users face significantly higher risks of heart attacks and strokes compared with non-users. The risk is particularly pronounced among former smokers who switched to vaping, highlighting that replacing cigarettes with e-cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular dangers. The ICMR-led meta-analysis, published in BMC Public Health, systematically analyzed 12 observational studies, extracting 26 estimates including 11 on heart attacks (myocardial infarction) and 15 on strokes. The results were alarming: e-cigarette users had 1.53 times higher odds of suffering a heart attack compared with non-users. Even after adjusting for conventional cigarette use, the risk remained 1.24 times higher. Among former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes, the risk jumped to 2.52 times higher compared with those who quit all nicotine and tobacco products entirely. Stroke risks followed a similar pattern, dispelling the popular notion that vaping is harmless. Health experts explain that nicotine, regardless of delivery method, is a potent cardiovascular stimulant. It increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, and negatively affects blood vessel function, all of which can contribute to heart disease. Research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute shows that e-cigarette use can impair vascular function by reducing nitric oxide production and increasing cell permeability, which disrupts the lining of blood vessels. Studies from the American College of Cardiology further suggest that vaping can increase the risk of heart failure independently of other risk factors. Comparisons with traditional smoking indicate that while cigarettes contain harmful chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide, e-cigarettes still deliver toxic compounds alongside nicotine. A meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology noted that e-cigarette users remain at increased risk of thrombosis and atherosclerosis, while research from the American Heart Association found that adults using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes gained no cardiovascular benefits over exclusive smokers. Dual use provides no protection, and vaping as a “quit-smoking” method can maintain or worsen cardiovascular risk. The public health implications are significant. India banned e-cigarettes in 2019 to curb nicotine addiction, and this ICMR study validates that policy. Experts warn against marketing vaping as a harm-reduction tool, calling it a “trap” where smokers repeatedly switch products but remain addicted to nicotine and exposed to cardiovascular risks. Instead, evidence-based cessation strategies such as behavioral counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and FDA-approved pharmacotherapies should be prioritized. Comprehensive support services remain essential to reduce tobacco-related disease burdens effectively. The ICMR study reinforces a growing scientific consensus: e-cigarettes are not heart-safe alternatives. Despite lacking the smoke of traditional cigarettes, they still carry a serious risk to cardiovascular health. Smokers considering vaping as a safer option are being cautioned that the healthiest choice remains complete cessation of all nicotine and tobacco products. Governments, health authorities, and clinicians worldwide continue to urge smokers to rely on proven, clinically backed cessation methods rather than unproven alternatives like e-cigarettes. This research adds to mounting evidence that vaping can no longer be viewed as a low-risk substitute for smoking. With heart attack and stroke risks elevated for e-cigarette users, particularly among those who previously smoked, the study emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, public health education, and accessible cessation options to protect cardiovascular health. Switching to Vapes from Cigarettes? ICMR Study Warns of Higher Heart Attack Risk A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has delivered a clear warning: e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking. Analyzing data from 12 global studies with over 1.2 million participants, researchers found that people who vape have a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes compared with non-users. The risk is even higher for former smokers who switched to vaping, showing that replacing cigarettes with e-cigarettes doesn’t make your heart safe. The ICMR-led meta-analysis found that e-cigarette users have a 53% higher chance of heart attack than non-users. Even after considering traditional cigarette use, the risk remains elevated. Former smokers who switched to vaping had more than double the risk compared with those who quit all nicotine products. Stroke risk also increases in a similar way. Experts explain that nicotine itself is harmful to the heart. It raises blood pressure, speeds up heart rate, and can damage blood vessels, leading to heart disease and stroke. Studies also show that e-cigarettes can reduce the blood vessels’ ability to function properly and increase the chances of heart failure. Using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes does not reduce risk—it only keeps you addicted to nicotine while harming your heart. This study reinforces India’s 2019 decision to ban e-cigarettes. Health authorities stress that quitting all nicotine products is the safest choice. Smokers trying to quit should use proven methods like behavioral counseling and medically approved therapies rather than switching to vaping. E-cigarettes may seem like a safer option, but evidence shows they still put your heart at serious risk.