Sept. 14, 2007 -- New research shows that nicotine from cigarette smoke may promote hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), even with low-nicotine cigarettes. Atherosclerosis makes heart attacks more likely. The new study focuses on mice, not people.But the researchers say the findings may help explain why smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. The best thing to do is quit smoking, says Daniel Catanzaro, PhD, of Cornell University's Weill Medical College, in a news release. That's easy to say but often hard to do.ut the researchers say the findings may help explain why smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. The best thing to do is quit smoking, says Daniel Catanzaro, PhD, of Cornell University's Weill Medical College, in a news release.