Vaping Is A Better and Safer Alternative for Pregnant Smokers

Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking over the past few years, with many people considering it a healthier choice. For pregnant women, however, the issue is a little more complex. The warnings on e-liquid bottles and device packaging emphasize not to vape while pregnant, and popular vaping brands such as Totally Wicked suggest pregnant women consult their doctors before using vaping products. The overarching advice seems to caution against vaping, smoking, or using any substances during pregnancy, but there is a debate within the scientific community regarding the relative harms of vaping and smoking. This comprehensive analysis aims to shed light on this debate.

The health impacts of both vaping and smoking during pregnancy are of paramount concern to medical professionals, researchers, and, most importantly, expecting mothers. By examining the current evidence and ongoing research in this area, this article seeks to address common misconceptions, provide potential alternatives for smoking pregnant women, and highlight initiatives towards a smoke-free future.

The Misconceptions

Back in 2021, I attended a workshop for healthcare workers specializing in maternal health care. During the event, it became apparent that a significant proportion of the attendees considered vaping to be more harmful than occasional cigarette smoking. This perspective is not limited to these health care professionals, but it’s prevalent across large swathes of the public. Such a perception is primarily driven by skewed media narratives and a lack of comprehensive understanding about the relative harms of vaping and smoking.

The danger of these misconceptions is their potential to encourage unhealthy lifestyle choices, particularly among pregnant women who may consider smoking cigarettes less harmful than vaping. However, evidence points to the contrary – traditional smoking is immensely harmful for expectant mothers and potentially more detrimental for their unborn children.

A Safer Alternative

The dangerous components of tobacco smoke are numerous and varied. Thousands of harmful compounds are present in each puff, with many of these toxins capable of crossing the placenta and entering the baby’s bloodstream. These toxins pose a direct threat to fetal development. Of particular concern is carbon monoxide, a lethal gas that can have devastating impacts on a developing fetus.

In contrast, vaping presents a different profile of potential harm. It’s essential to note that vaping is not risk-free, but the main element that crosses the placenta during vaping is nicotine, which, when compared to other components of tobacco smoke, is one of the least harmful. Notably, only two significant toxins are typically present in e-cigarette vapour, and these are found at much lower levels than in tobacco smoke.

To build on this, it is crucial to understand that nicotine itself is not entirely benign. Although less harmful than other compounds found in tobacco smoke, nicotine is a powerful stimulant and can have effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. However, the scale of these effects is significantly less than those associated with smoking.

A Better Choice

In the United Kingdom, professional bodies such as the Royal College of Midwives, part of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group, are working diligently to debunk myths and misconceptions about vaping during pregnancy. They actively promote the latest scientific evidence, which suggests that for those who cannot quit smoking during pregnancy, vaping could be a significantly less harmful alternative.

The argument here is not that vaping is harmless during pregnancy – rather, it is that if a pregnant woman cannot quit smoking, then switching to vaping could reduce the harm to both her and her unborn child. This perspective is grounded in the concept of harm reduction, a principle widely used in public health, where the goal is to lessen the adverse health effects of a certain behavior rather than eliminate the behavior entirely.

A Smoke-Free Future

While the global vaping community and scientific researchers delve into the benefits and risks of vaping during pregnancy, a broader initiative towards a smoke-free future for pregnant women is emerging. Services like Smokefree Pregnancy by Public Health England and Scotland’s Quit Your Way are paving the way for a future where women don’t have to compromise their health or their baby’s due to tobacco addiction.

These services not only aim to aid women in maintaining a smoke-free lifestyle during pregnancy, but they also extend their support to the family. They ensure the home environment remains free from harmful tobacco smoke, offering counselling, resources, and continuous support to help women quit smoking and maintain a smoke-free home. After all, a healthy, smoke-free environment is the best gift you can give to your child.

Vaping is a much better choice

Expectant smokers or those planning for a baby should understand the value of switching to vaping. Here are some guidelines from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM)that can assist you:

• As soon as you find out you’re pregnant or planning for a baby, make an effort to quit smoking.
• If vaping helps you stay smoke-free, it may be a better choice.
• If you’re vaping and not smoking during pregnancy or postpartum, ensure your midwife records you as a non-smoker.
• Continue vaping while breastfeeding if it keeps you smoke-free, as there’s no evidence to suggest any adverse effects on nursing mothers or their infants.

If your interested in reading the RCM’s full statement, take a look at their Support to Quit Smoking in Pregnancy Position Statement.

By making a well-informed decision, you can navigate the journey of pregnancy and parenthood in a healthier and more responsible manner. Remember, your choices today will significantly impact the health and wellbeing of your baby tomorrow.