Heated tobacco and cigarettes cause the same gut and vascular damage, study finds

Heated tobacco and cigarettes cause the same gut and vascular damage, study finds

Italian researchers found that both heated tobacco products (HTPs) and conventional cigarettes trigger oxidative stress, endotoxemia, and gut barrier disruption in adults and children. The findings challenge the perception that HTPs are a safer alternative to smoking.

Heated tobacco and cigarettes cause the same gut and vascular damage. Both HTPs and conventional cigarettes impair gut barrier integrity and increase cardiovascular risk, refuting claims of reduced harm. The results highlight the urgent need for stronger