Mouse Study: E-Cigarette Aerosol May Affect Fetuses

On June 5, according to Vapingpost, because the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy remains controversial and has sparked debate from both supporters and opponents, a recent study aimed to address the issue by analyzing the effects of e-cigarette aerosol exposure on adult male rat offspring.

The study, titled “Effects of E-cigarette Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Lactation on Learning and Memory in Adult Male Rat Offspring,” is set to be published in Physiology & Behavior. Researchers exposed rats to either fresh air or e-cigarette vapor for one hour a day from days 4 to 21 of pregnancy and lactation.

The male offspring were followed for 19 weeks (human male fetuses are thought to be more vulnerable to stress than female fetuses), after which their spatial learning ability and memory were tested.

The results showed that, compared with fresh air, aerosol exposure during pregnancy and lactation impaired long-term memory in adult offspring (P <0.05). Based on this, the researchers concluded that smoking during pregnancy should not be encouraged.

At the same time, in response to such studies on e-cigarette use during pregnancy, vaping advocates have consistently argued that these findings need to be viewed in context. Some have pointed out that while no one suggests pregnant women should smoke recreationally, ideally they should quit smoking altogether, whether the products contain nicotine or not. However, because e-cigarettes are far safer than smoking, heavy smokers who are unable to quit may still benefit from switching to a safer alternative, as may their offspring.

French researchers recently conducted a systematic review analyzing international literature published between January 2003 and April 2019 on smoking cessation during pregnancy.

The review, titled “[CNGOF-SFT Expert Report and Guidelines on Smoking Management During Pregnancy – Short Text],” aimed to identify the latest evidence-based guidance for smoking cessation management during pregnancy. Researchers searched the Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase databases using relevant keywords.

The compiled data indicated that counseling has some positive effect on smoking cessation, and self-help interventions and health education are recommended when helping pregnant smokers quit. Once again, nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) were recommended for pregnant women who had not succeeded in quitting through other means. However, due to the lack of scientific evidence on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, their use is generally not recommended.