Smoking and vaping during pregnancy pose risks to both mother and baby. Understanding the impact and making informed choices can help ensure a healthier pregnancy and start to life for your little one.
Why Smoking is Harmful During Pregnancy
Tobacco use in pregnancy is linked to several serious health issues, including:
• Placental defects
• Preeclampsia
• Stillbirth
• Preterm birth
• Low birthweight
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Developmental deficits in both the foetus and infant
If you're planning to start a family or have recently discovered you're pregnant, stopping smoking as soon as possible is one of the best steps you can take for your health and your baby’s well-being.
Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which harm everyone who breathes them in, including those exposed to second-hand smoke. Even more concerning, many of these chemicals pass through to your baby in the womb. Here are just a few of the harmful substances found in tobacco smoke and their other common uses:
• Acetone—found in nail polish remover
• Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye
• Ammonia—a common household cleaner
• Arsenic—used in rat poison
• Benzene—found in gasoline, rubber and cement
• Cadmium—used in battery acid
• Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
• Formaldehyde—used in embalming fluid
• Hydrogen Cyanide – used in manufacturing plastics
• Lead – used in batteries
• Naphthalene – used in mothballs
• Nicotine—an insecticide and highly addictive substance
To protect your baby, it's crucial to avoid exposing them to these harmful chemicals. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to smoke outside and take precautions, such as washing their hands and changing their clothes, to minimize exposure.
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Is Vaping Safer During Pregnancy?
Many people wonder if switching to vaping during pregnancy is a better alternative. While vaping is considered less harmful than smoking, it is not without risks, especially during pregnancy.
Here are key points to consider:
• Nicotine Exposure: Both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that raises blood pressure, increases adrenaline, and spikes heart rates for both you and your baby. Nicotine exposure during pregnancy can negatively affect brain development, potentially leading to long-term developmental and learning difficulties.
• Chemical Concerns: The long-term effects of the chemicals in e-cigarette vapour are not fully understood, and their impact on pregnancy remains unclear.
That said, the NHS England reports that vaping is 95-96% less harmful than smoking tobacco. Using e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) during pregnancy is considered significantly safer than continuing to smoke.
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Getting Support to Quit
If you're struggling to quit smoking or vaping, remember that you don't have to do it alone. Speak to your midwife or GP, who can connect you with smoking cessation teams for professional guidance and support.
You can also contact the National Smokefree helpline at 0300 123 1044 for additional resources and encouragement. These services can double your chances of successfully quitting and help you protect your health and your baby’s future.
Making the choice to quit smoking or vaping is a powerful step toward a healthier pregnancy and giving your baby the best possible start in life.
References
McNeill, A., Brose, L.S., Calder, R., Hitchman, S.C., Hajek, P. and McRobbie, H., 2015. E-cigarettes: an evidence update. Public Health England, 3(6), pp.14-15.
American Lung Association
ASH.org.uk
Pesola, F. et al (2024) Safety of e-cigarettes and nicotine patches as stop-smoking aids in pregnancy: Secondary analysis of the Pregnancy Trial of E-cigarettes and Patches (PREP) randomized controlled trial. SSA. Volume 119. Issue 5. P875-884
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/stop-smoking/
