Vaping while pregnant: Can you vape during pregnancy?

Vaping during pregnancy is an extremely controversial issue. The expectant mother hasn’t done anything wrong and has simply found herself in a hugely difficult situation, like every other vaper and nicotine addict on the planet. Expectant mothers should be treated with kindness, understanding and respect.

The US Government Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states that nicotine is harmful to both mother and the baby¹ and so quitting vaping when pregnant is by far the best health step an expectant mother can take to protect and enhance the current and future health of her baby & herself.

This page will explain everything you need to know about vaping during pregnancy.

Can you vape while pregnant?

It is important to understand that first and foremost e-cigarettes / vaping were developed as a nicotine delivery system just like cigarettes. E-cigarette vapour is not harmless water vapour it contains harmful chemicals including nicotine.

The US Government Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states that nicotine is a well known health danger for expectant mothers and their babies. It can damage the baby’s brain and is a risk to both the mother’s lungs and the babies lungs¹.

The best advice and safest advice is for expectant mothers not to vape because not enough is known about the safety of vaping especially during pregnancy and even juices without nicotine may contain harmful chemicals.

This is the advice given by the US Surgeon General² and The U.S. Preventive Task Force (USPTF) who recently concluded that “current evidence is insufficient to recommend electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigs) for tobacco cessation [quitting tobacco] in adults, including pregnant women.”

Furthermore, In January 2018, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine released a consensus study report that reviewed over 800 different studies and concluded that e-cigarettes [vaping] causes health risks²¹.

Read Side Effects of Vaping while Pregnant

What are the side effects of vaping while pregnant?

The full effects of vaping and vaping while pregnant are still being investigated but the following are a list of the current known side effects:

For the mother

• Nicotine – E-cigarettes contain nicotine which is highly addictive²
• Lung damage^{17, 18} – Read about the potential damage to the lungs from vaping
• Poison – Nicotine vaping liquid can be poisonous within a few minutes of contact to an adult’s skin. To a child it can be deadly. In 2014 a 1 year-old child died from liquid nicotine poisoning in US²⁰
• Asthma & emphysema – these can be exacerbated by the ultrafine particles inhaled by vapers^{11, 12}
• Eye, nose and throat irritation – Volatile Organic Compounds created by heating the vaping liquid and inhaling can lead to this¹⁹
• Headaches and nausea – Volatile Organic Compounds created by heating the vaping liquid and inhaling can lead to this¹⁹
• Liver, kidney and nervous system – Volatile Organic Compounds created by heating the vaping liquid and inhaling can lead to this¹⁹
• Cancer causing toxins – These include Acetaldehyde (MS), Benzene (SS), Cadmium (MS), Formaldehyde (MS,SS), Isoprene (SS), Lead (MS), Nickel (MS), Nicotine (MS, SS), N- Nitrosonornicotine (MS, SS), Toluene (MS, SS)^{13, 14}
• Cancer causing toxin – Research has shown that heating propylene glycol changes its chemical composition, producing small amounts of propylene oxide, a known cancerous toxin¹⁵
• Respiratory distress and disease – due to heavy metals including nickel, tin and lead¹⁶

For the baby

• Brain damage – nicotine can damage a baby’s developing brains¹
• Lung damage – nicotine can damage a baby’s developing lungs¹
• Toxic– nicotine is toxic to developing fetuses²
• Birth defects –  of the nose, mouth and face³
• Dull sensory perception and cause hyperactivity in babies⁴
• Child behavioural issues – increased risk⁴
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – increased risk⁶

In addition experts are concerned that like with cigarettes due to nicotine there could be an increased risk for:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Placenta issues
• Stillbirth
• Low weight babies
• Read more about the side effects of vaping while pregnant

Read Vaping Statistics and Facts

Are nicotine-free e-cigarettes safe while pregnant?

Some vaping liquids or juices are sold as nicotine free however research has shown that these often contain nicotine²³. Nicotine is highly addictive and even if the juice did not contain nicotine the liquids contain chemicals which can be harmful. Read more about the side effects of nicotine vaping.

What is in vaping liquid?

• Flavourings – There are thousands of flavours all with different additives and chemicals. One that was used until recently was diacetyl. This is used to create a buttery flavour such as used in popcorn, custard and sweet dessert flavours. High levels of exposure to diacetyl can lead to the serious lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans also known as “popcorn lung”. It is banned in the UK & EU but is still available in flavours in the rest of the world⁷
• Propylene Glycol (PG) – This is used to create artificial smoke and fog on stage and on screen. It is also an ingredient in antifreeze and is known to cause irritation to the lungs and eyes and may cause issues for people with asthma and emphysema. Pregnant women are at risk of developing toxicity if they are exposed to large amounts of PG because they have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase an enzyme that is needed to breakdown PG^{8, 9, 10}
• Glycerin – This has no colour or smell but gives a sweet taste.

Furthermore the vapour once heated contains:

• Ultrafine particles – these can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may exacerbate conditions such as asthma and emphysema and could lead to a heart attack^{11, 12}
• Volatile Organic Compounds – these are created as a by product of heating the vapour and can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, and can damage the liver, kidney and nervous system¹⁹
• Cancer causing toxins – These include Acetaldehyde (MS), Benzene (SS), Cadmium (MS), Formaldehyde (MS,SS), Isoprene (SS), Lead (MS), Nickel (MS), Nicotine (MS, SS), N- Nitrosonornicotine (MS, SS), Toluene (MS, SS)^{13, 14}
• Propylene Glycol (PG) – Research has shown that heating propylene glycol changes its chemical composition, producing small amounts of propylene oxide, a known cancerous toxin¹⁵
• Heavy metals – these are known to cause respiratory distress and disease and include nickel, tin and lead¹⁶

It is therefore advised not to vape any liquid while pregnant.

Is there any risk from second-hand E-cigarette smoke while pregnant?

Vapour is exhaled by e-cigarette users as part of their vaping. The vaping liquid contains many harmful chemicals and studies show using an e-cigarette in indoor environments may involuntarily expose nonusers to nicotine⁵.

More research is needed but like with smoking it appears that second-hand smoke is a potential issue. Occasional exposure such as when the mother is in town is unavoidable but it is best for them to limit second-hand exposure on a frequent basis.

How to stop vaping while pregnant?

Nicotine is dangerous for the baby and the mother and so it is best to choose a natural method of quitting smoking and vaping – one that avoids any drugs.

There is only one method that is natural, involves no drugs and is clinically proven and that is Allen Carr’s Easyway.

Stop vaping the Easyway

When should I stop vaping while pregnant?

The best advice and safest advice is for expectant mothers not to vape because not enough is known about the safety of vaping especially during pregnancy and even juices without nicotine may contain harmful chemicals.

Final Thoughts

Quitting vaping when pregnant is one of the most important things that an expectant mother can do for her child. The effects of vaping on the unborn child are very serious. Expectant mothers who use e-cigarettes should be given special understanding and care and should not feel guilty for being entrapped and enslaved by one of the most addictive drugs on the planet. Vaping during early pregnancy is extremely difficult to avoid if the mother is unaware that she is pregnant.

Even if you’re vaping no nicotine while pregnant, it’s important to understand that e-cigarette liquids still contain harmful chemicals. These substances can pose significant health risks to both the mother and the developing baby, especially during the crucial stages of pregnancy.

If you’re struggling to quit vaping while pregnant, know that you’re not alone. Many expectant mothers find it challenging to quit, particularly during the 1st trimester. However, the health implications of pregnancy and vaping are serious, making it crucial to seek support and choose methods that prioritize both your health and your baby’s well-being.

When a pregnancy is planned it is best to quit smoking in advance of conception. You may be interested in these articles:

Vaping Around Kids – Is it safe?

Teen Vaping & How to Help Teens to Quit

Vaping Statistics and Facts

Can Vaping Damage the Lungs?