Jenny
Generally speaking, it is best for women not to smoke when they are pregnant for the sake of their children. However, many pregnant women are unable to quit smoking completely. Pregnant smokers who cannot quit smoking can at least reduce the harm to their unborn babies by switching to safer alternative products. Both cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain harmful substances.
Vaping during pregnancy has become an increasingly controversial topic, with experts divided over its safety compared to traditional smoking. On the one hand, some studies and experts in the field suggest that vaping may be a less harmful alternative to smoking for expectant mothers who have trouble quitting nicotine completely, or who can choose nicotine-free cigarettes. Studies show that the nicotine contained in e-cigarettes does not contain many of the toxic chemicals in combustible cigarettes, which can lead to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth. Public health advocates argue that for women who are unable to quit smoking, switching to e-cigarettes can reduce these risks and provide a harm reduction strategy. E-cigarettes are also available that do not contain nicotine, which reduces the harmful substances.
However, many health experts warn against vaping during pregnancy, claiming that nicotine can negatively affect the fetus’s brain and lung development, while stressing that the long-term effects of inhaling e-cigarette flavorings and additives remain largely unknown. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women avoid smoking and vaping, and insists that any form of nicotine exposure during pregnancy is unsafe. For the sake of the child, it is recommended to quit smoking.
An often overlooked factor: third-hand exposure
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) recently led a study that exposed pregnant mice to e-cigarette residue on towels. After birth, the offspring of these mice were infected with influenza virus to assess their immune response. The results showed that CD8+ T cells (an important immune cell responsible for fighting infection and cancer) were dysregulated in the offspring exposed to e-cigarettes, suggesting that exposure to third-hand e-cigarette vapor may undermine immune function. Anything, if used excessively, can cause irreversible damage.
“This is the first study to demonstrate that maternal exposure to third-hand e-cigarette residue can have long-term effects on immune cell responses in the lungs and bone marrow of offspring,” said Chantal Donovan, PhD, and Richard Kim, PhD, lead authors of the study. “These findings shed light on the fact that even indirect exposure, such as touching surfaces in an environment filled with e-cigarettes, may pose a risk. But this is likely to be much less harmful than smoking cigarettes.”
The combined effect of cannabis and nicotine consumption
A study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reported that pregnant women who used both marijuana and nicotine faced a significantly higher risk of adverse health outcomes for their newborns compared to pregnant women who used either substance alone. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the importance of early clinical counseling about substance use during pregnancy. Marijuana is a terrible substance, don’t let your child get into it.
The research team analyzed data from more than 3 million pregnant women and found that the use of both cannabis and nicotine during pregnancy was associated with an increased incidence of neonatal death, fetal growth retardation, and premature birth. The infant mortality rate for those who used both substances simultaneously was significantly higher than that of those who did not use either substance, which was nearly twice as high as that of those who used either cannabis or nicotine alone. Therefore, the study suggests that abstaining from at least one of the substances can mitigate the risks of pregnancy caused by the use of both substances simultaneously.
The study’s corresponding author, Dr. Jamie Lo, stressed the need to eliminate the stigma around substance use during pregnancy to promote more informed decisions. The study advocates for increased efforts to educate pregnant women about the risks of marijuana and nicotine use. And the study’s lead author, Dr. Adam Crosland, stressed the importance of providing evidence-based recommendations and patient-centered treatment options to support healthier outcomes.
Vaping as a safer alternative for pregnant smokers who are unable to quit
Meanwhile, debate continues over whether vaping can be considered a safer alternative to smoking, or whether it poses significant risks to fetal development. Trials have been conducted to assess the potential of vaping as a harm reduction tool for pregnant smokers. These studies aim to determine whether e-cigarettes can help pregnant women reduce or quit smoking, as there are known harms of smoking during pregnancy, such as low birth weight and premature birth. The harm caused by cigarettes is more long-term.
Some local councils in the UK have started programs to provide financial assistance to pregnant women, giving them vouchers worth up to 400 pounds (about $500) to buy e-cigarettes. The initiatives are part of local councils’ smoking cessation services, which aim to improve family health and help them save money.
Finally, tobacco harm reduction experts emphasize that while e-cigarettes are not recommended for use during pregnancy or for non-smokers, they remain a safer option for pregnant women who are unable to quit smoking completely. These experts emphasize that switching to e-cigarettes can significantly reduce the health risks of smoking for both mother and unborn child. E-cigarettes do not contain the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes and deliver nicotine, providing a less harmful option for those who are unable to quit smoking during pregnancy, offering a way to reduce harm.
