Vascular effects of a single bout of electronic cigarette use

Electronic cigarettes (EC) are commonly marketed as a safe alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes (TC), but recent studies have observed adverse effects on vascular functions from EC vapours similar to those observed from TC. Currently, it is not clear if differing levels of nicotine and compounds from heating in e-cigarettes influence vascular functions. Sixteen young, apparently healthy tobacco product naïve participants were studied. Each participant underwent three separate "vaping" trials with menthol-flavoured quit smoking aid, electronically heated menthol-flavoured EC with 0% or 5.4% nicotine. During each visit, measurements were performed at baseline, immediately post, 1, and 2 h post-EC exposure. There were no significant changes in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, endothelial function (via flow-mediated dilation), and arterial stiffness (via cardio-ankle vascular index) throughout the experiments. In conclusion, vaping electronic cigarettes did not produce acute and persistent effects on subclinical vascular functions over the course of a 2-h trial in young, healthy, tobacco product naïve participants.