Latest study: more young people during pregnancy are choosing e-cigarettes as a nicotine substitute

Wen and his colleagues found that the proportion of pregnant teenagers specifically using e-cigarettes increased from 0.8% in 2016 to 4.1% in 2020, while the proportion of this group specifically using combustible tobacco cigarettes decreased from 9.2% in 2017 to 3.2% in 2021. He stated that this surge is partly due to the trend of replacing combustible tobacco cigarettes, as people perceive e-cigarettes as a safer nicotine product, with the highest proportion of e-cigarette use among pregnant white teenagers.

Researchers at UB are particularly interested in how e-cigarette use during pregnancy affects infant growth. While traditional smoking is generally associated with lower fetal weight, the impact of e-cigarettes on infant weight has not been thoroughly studied.

Wen explained, "Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to nicotine may restrict fetal growth, possibly by reducing blood flow to the uterus and placenta." However, evidence regarding the impact of nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches, gum, nasal sprays, tablets, or lozenges) on infant weight is inconclusive. He explained, "E-cigarettes share some similarities with nicotine replacement products, such as delivering nicotine without combustion."

UB's research found that among pregnant teenagers, those who exclusively used e-cigarettes or used both e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes did not have statistically significant differences in the risk of having infants smaller than gestational age compared to those who did not use either product; however, the risk among pregnant teenagers who only smoked combustible cigarettes was twice that of those who did not use either product.

Wen stated that while the study's results support pregnant teenagers choosing e-cigarettes over combustible cigarettes as a lower-risk option, there are better choices. "The healthiest choice is to completely abstain from any tobacco/nicotine products," Wen said. "E-cigarettes have potential as a transitional aid in helping existing cigarette users quit, however, e-cigarette use should ultimately be discontinued."