A new study reconfirmed older work that found smoking is a risk factor for developing blood sugar concerns. Moreover, it found that smoke-free tobacco products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches also raised the risk.
Both current smokers and ex-smokers had a higher risk of developing blood sugar concerns than someone who had never smoked. People who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day for 15 years were classified as heavy smokers and had an even higher risk.
The researchers looked at how nicotine pouches — often called snus — could affect blood sugar concerns. The product increased the risk.
“The link between snus and [blood sugar] risk has been studied less than smoking,” said Emmy Keysendal, a PhD student at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and the first author of this study. “Unlike cigarettes, snus is not burned and generally contains fewer harmful substances, but both products deliver nicotine (and equal amounts of nicotine). Our findings suggest that, like smoking, snus raises the risk of [blood sugar concerns], which points to nicotine as a possible driver, particularly through its effects on insulin resistance. This is an important finding considering the rise in the use of products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches that are marketed as tobacco-free and potentially less harmful, yet contain high doses of nicotine.”
The risk was even higher for people who were already genetically predisposed to blood sugar concerns. “Our findings emphasize the importance of smoking cessation in the prevention of type 2 diabetes,” said Ms. Keysendal. “They also indicate that genetic information may help identify individuals most likely to benefit from extra support in stopping smoking.”
Another study on the impact of vaping found that the habit significantly raised the risk of mild and serious blood sugar concerns. The researchers pointed out that people often turn to vaping as it is viewed as a safer option than smoking.
“In an era when e-cigarettes are marketed as a ‘safer’ alternative to smoking, this suggests they may carry a hidden peril and may be quietly contributing to long-term health problems like [blood sugar concerns],” said Sulakshan Neupane, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “As the use of e-cigarettes rises rapidly, it’s vital we understand their broader health impacts. This is not just about the lungs anymore but the entire body and metabolic health.”
