Smokeless Nicotine Linked to Eye Disease Risk

A significant nationwide study conducted in South Korea has raised concerns about the impact of smokeless nicotine products on eye health. Researchers analyzed health data from 179,273 adults, comparing those who quit nicotine entirely with those who switched to alternatives such as vapes. The findings indicate that transitioning to smokeless nicotine products is associated with a 7% increased risk of developing serious eye conditions compared to complete cessation.

Of particular concern is the elevated risk of diabetic retinopathy, a severe complication affecting the eyes, which was 24% higher among individuals who switched to vapes. Additionally, a 7% increase in refractive and accommodation disorders was observed in this group. These results challenge the widely held assumption that substituting conventional cigarettes with noncombustible nicotine products is visually harmless, suggesting that eye health risks may persist or even increase with these alternatives.