Researchers link nicotine from smoking or vaping to higher cholesterol and blood pressure

People who smoke or vape even once a week could face a significantly higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to new research. Scientists from the United States and Finland found that occasional nicotine use through cigarettes or e-cigarettes may raise the likelihood of hypertension by nearly 50 per cent. Researchers said nicotine from both smoking and vaping may contribute to increased cholesterol levels, which in turn can lead to higher blood pressure.

The findings highlight concerns about the health effects of nicotine products, particularly as vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Professor Andrew Agbaje from the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio said the results underline the need for stronger action to protect younger people. He said the research suggests both societal and governmental interventions may be needed to address the risks linked to vaping and traditional tobacco smoking.“We need both societal and governmental interventions to save young people from the dangerous effects of vaping, not just traditional tobacco smoking,” he said.

The warning comes as vaping has overtaken smoking in popularity among adults in the UK. Data shows that in 2024, around 10 per cent of people aged 16 and over used e-cigarettes regularly, compared with about nine per cent who continued to smoke traditional cigarettes. The use of vaping devices increased between 2023 and 2024, while the longer-term trend shows smoking rates continuing to decline. Experts have suggested that several factors may be driving the shift from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

Lower prices for vaping products and the widespread belief that they are less harmful than smoking have both been cited as reasons for the growing popularity of vapes.

Despite this perception, researchers say nicotine remains a substance that can affect the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it can develop without obvious symptoms while gradually damaging blood vessels and vital organs. Over time, hypertension increases the risk of serious health problems, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and dementia.

Medical experts have long recognised the relationship between nicotine and cardiovascular health.

Nicotine can affect the body in ways that place strain on the heart and blood vessels, which may contribute to long-term health problems. The latest study adds to growing evidence that vaping, while sometimes promoted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, may still carry significant health risks. The findings come amid wider concerns about nicotine use worldwide. The World Health Organisation warned last year that vaping is contributing to a new wave of nicotine addiction across the globe.

According to the organisation, more than 100 million people now regularly use e-cigarettes.

Health experts say the increasing popularity of vaping, particularly among younger age groups, is a cause for concern. While smoking rates have fallen over the past decades, the rise of vaping has introduced a new form of nicotine consumption. Researchers say the latest evidence highlights the importance of understanding the potential health impacts of both vaping and smoking, even when use appears occasional. The study suggests that even limited exposure to nicotine through weekly smoking or vaping may carry measurable risks to cardiovascular health.