Electronic cigarettes and vaping

What are e-cigarettes?

An e-cigarette is an electronic device that lets you breathe in nicotine in a vapour, rather than smoke (leading to the name ‘vaping’). Unlike normal cigarettes, which burn tobacco, e-cigarettes work by heating a liquid. This liquid usually contains nicotine and some kind of flavouring.

Are e-cigarettes safe to use in pregnancy?

There has not been much research into the safety of e-cigarettes in pregnancy.  

They do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the 2 main toxins in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is particularly harmful to developing babies.

The vapour from an e-cigarette contains some of the potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels. It is not known whether the vapour is harmful to a baby in pregnancy.

Could vaping help me to stop smoking?

Many smokers use e-cigarettes (also known as vapes or e-cigs) to help them stop smoking.  

If using an e-cigarette helps you to stop smoking, it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke. But licensed nicotine replacement therapy products such as patches and gum are the recommended option to help you stop smoking. Find out more about getting support to stop smoking.

Liquorice-flavoured nicotine liquids

Try to avoid liquorice-flavoured vape liquids while pregnant.

Liquorice root is not good for pregnant women and birthing people. Although there is no known risk with small amounts of liquorice flavouring, the safest thing to do is use other flavours, such as fruit or mint.

Can I get an e-cigarette on prescription? 

E-cigarettes are not currently available on the NHS.  

Speak to your GP, pharmacist, midwife or an NHS stop smoking service for help to quit smoking.

Studies have shown that people who get support to stop smoking are much more likely to quit completely than those who try on their own.

Remember that specialist stop smoking advisers will not judge you – they are there to help you do the best for you and your baby.

Can secondhand vapour from vaping affect my baby?

We know that e-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the 2 main toxins in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is particularly harmful to developing babies.  

The vapour from an e-cigarette  contains some of the potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels. This means that if someone nearby is vaping, you may breathe in some of these chemicals. We don’t yet know if this is harmful.

Until we know more, the safest way to protect your baby is to avoid both secondhand tobacco smoke and secondhand vapour from e-cigarettes. Don’t be afraid to ask people not to vape around you, to help keep your unborn child safe.