Daily Nicotine Vaping Linked to Impaired Vascular Function and Fitness, Finds JAMA Study
UK: Regular daily nicotine vaping is associated with reduced vascular function and lower cardiorespiratory fitness in young adults who have never smoked combustible tobacco. The findings suggest that nicotine vaping may adversely affect cardiovascular health even in individuals without a history of cigarette smoking.
The study, published in JAMA Cardiology, was conducted by Maxime Boidin from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, and colleagues. The researchers examined whether regular nicotine vaping was associated with early changes in cardiovascular function and exercise capacity among young adults without established cardiovascular risk factors.
The growing popularity of nicotine vaping among young adults who have never smoked cigarettes has raised concerns about its potential health effects. Although vaping is often perceived as less harmful than conventional smoking, its long-term cardiovascular consequences remain unclear.
For the cross-sectional study, researchers assessed 58 young adults with a mean age of 26 years. Participants were divided into three groups: 17 exclusive nicotine vape users, 19 combustible cigarette smokers, and 22 individuals who had never used tobacco or nicotine vapes. The assessments were conducted between July 2023 and April 2025.
Vascular function was evaluated using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which measures the ability of blood vessels to widen in response to increased blood flow, and carotid artery reactivity (CAR). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed through maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing, including measurements of peak oxygen uptake, ventilation and cardiac output. Researchers also evaluated lung function and physical activity.
The analysis revealed the following findings:
- Impaired vascular function: FMD averaged 5.5% among vape users and 4.4% among cigarette smokers, compared with 8.3% among individuals who had never used tobacco or nicotine vapes.
- Reduced carotid artery reactivity: CAR was lower among vape users (0.6%) and cigarette smokers (−1.4%) than among nicotine-naive participants (4.7%).
- Lower exercise capacity: Peak oxygen uptake was reduced in nicotine vape users compared with nicotine-naive individuals, indicating lower cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Changes in cardiovascular responses: Minute ventilation and cardiac output were lower in both nicotine-use groups.
- Similar lung function and activity levels: No significant differences in spirometry results or physical activity were observed across the three groups.
The findings indicate that regular nicotine vaping is associated with measurable differences in vascular function and exercise capacity, even among young adults without established cardiovascular disease. The similarities between vape users and cigarette smokers in certain vascular measures also raise concerns about the potential cardiovascular effects of sustained vaping.
However, the study had limitations, including its small sample size and cross-sectional design, which prevent conclusions about causality. The findings also cannot establish whether these physiological differences will translate into long-term cardiovascular disease.
Overall, the study highlights the need for larger, longitudinal investigations to determine the long-term cardiovascular consequences of regular nicotine vaping in young adults who have never smoked combustible tobacco.
Reference:
Boidin M, Degens H, Junejo RT, et al. Vascular Function and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults Who Use Nicotine Vapes. JAMA Cardiol. Published online October 21, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2026.4626
Next Story