Heated tobacco is often marketed as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes, which has led some smokers to switch to it in the belief that it is a safer option. But a new German study raises questions about the effect of these products on heart and blood vessel health, after recording physiological changes following a single session lasting just minutes.
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Heated tobacco devices work by heating treated tobacco rather than burning it, producing a nicotine-containing aerosol that the user inhales.
Although they work differently from conventional cigarettes, that does not mean they are free of health risks, according to a report by Al Arabiya.
Changes in blood vessel function
In the study, researchers examined the effects of using just two sticks of heated tobacco in 30 healthy smokers. Each session lasted between eight and 12 minutes, according to a report published by Daily Health.
The measurements showed a decline of 11% in blood vessel function after use, suggesting that the vessels' ability to perform their normal functions was affected. The researchers also recorded a rise of about three points in systolic blood pressure, the higher figure in a blood pressure reading.
The changes were not limited to the heart and blood vessels. The study also found signs of DNA damage in blood cells, adding another dimension to concerns about the immediate biological effects of these products.
These findings matter because there is a widespread belief that heating tobacco rather than burning it greatly reduces health risks. The study suggests that exposure to its aerosol may be linked to notable changes even after a short period of use.
Is heated tobacco less harmful than cigarettes?
The lead researcher questioned claims that heated tobacco products are far less harmful to the heart and blood vessels than conventional cigarettes, noting that the findings challenge these assumptions.
However, it is important to distinguish between observing immediate effects after use and proving long-term health risks. The study involved only 30 people and measured changes after a single session, so its results alone are not enough to determine the level of risk from repeated use, or to conclude that these products cause heart disease in the long term.
Calls for tighter regulation
The study's authors believe heated tobacco products should be subject to regulatory measures similar to those applied to conventional cigarettes, including restrictions on advertising and on flavours that could attract young people and encourage them to try nicotine-containing products. They also call for more research to understand long-termhealth effects and to identify the risks associated with continuous use.
The findings highlight a key point: heated tobacco is not a risk-free product simply because it does not burn tobacco. Even short-term use in this study was linked to changes in blood vessel function and blood pressure, which calls for caution against treating it as a safe alternative to cigarettes.
Source: Al-Ghad.
