Giving up smoking and mental health medication

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When should I stop smoking?

It is ideal if you can stop smoking before you get pregnant. This reduces the likelihood of harm to your baby. You can get pregnant very quickly after stopping contraception, so try to quit before this.

But stopping at any point really helps.

I’m already pregnant. Am I too late to stop smoking?

No. It’s never too late. Every extra day your baby develops in the womb without toxins from cigarette smoke will make a difference to their health in pregnancy and beyond. 

Stopping smoking during pregnancy reduces the risk of harm to your baby. The earlier you stop smoking the healthier you and your baby will be.

Can I cut down instead of stopping altogether?

Giving up smoking completely will give you the best chance of a healthy pregnancy. This will reduce the likelihood of harm to your baby. 

Even low levels of smoking can make getting pregnant more difficult and is harmful to your pregnancy. For example, smoking 1 to 4 cigarettes a day makes an ectopic pregnancy more likely. Every cigarette you smoke stops your baby getting oxygen and makes their heart beat faster. 

Find out more about the effects of smoking when you are pregnant.

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How do I stop smoking?

If you're finding it difficult to quit smoking on your own, it's really important to get help. Your doctor or midwife can help and can refer you to an NHS Stop Smoking service.

Your doctor will work with you to put together your personal stop smoking plan. They may recommend counselling sessions and nicotine-replacement medicines.

Individual or group support with an expert advisor can help you stop smoking. They’ll give you practical tips and help you deal with any concerns like weight gain or stress.

Do not use nicotine-free medicines, such as varenicline and bupropion, to help you stop smoking. They’re not safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Can I use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to quit?

Yes. If you’re struggling to give up smoking, you might want to try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). 

Licensed NRT products ease the withdrawal symptoms by giving you small amounts of nicotine. However, they do not contain the other harmful toxins and chemicals you get from smoking tobacco.

You can use NRT during pregnancy. It’s available on prescription from a doctor or NHS stop smoking service. You can also buy NRT products from pharmacies and some shops.

NRT products include:

• skin patches
• nicotine chewing gum
• tablets, strips or lozenges
• inhalators
• sprays for your nose or mouth.

Can I use e-cigarettes (vaping) to quit?

Experts still aren’t sure exactly how e-cigarettes (vapes) affect pregnancy. They're less likely to harm you and your baby than smoking but are not risk-free. They do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, which are two of the most harmful products of tobacco smoke. But they do still contain some of the other harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, just at lower levels. 

Counselling and nicotine replacement therapies are safer options for helping you to stop smoking. But if these haven’t worked for you, then vaping may be an option if it helps you stay smoke free.

If you are using or thinking about using e-cigarettes, contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Services for advice and support, or talk to your GP or midwife. You cannot get e-cigarettes on prescription but you can buy them and get advice from specialist vape shops.

Read about e-cigarettes and pregnancy.

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Is second-hand smoking a problem?

Even if you don’t smoke, breathing in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes can lower your chances of getting pregnant. It can also reduce your chances of pregnancy after IVF.

Second-hand smoke during pregnancy can harm your baby. It increases the risk of having a baby with a low birth weight, and the risk of SIDS.

Smokers who get support from family and friends are more likely to stop. So if the people around you give up smoking, they’ll also help you to quit. 

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Where can I get help to stop smoking?

Call the free National Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044 from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

You can also find your nearest NHS stop smoking services by visiting the relevant website:

England

Wales

Northern Ireland

Scotland

They provide support and information on how to stop smoking. There are also success stories to inspire you and help you keep on track. 

See our top tips for quitting smoking, or try our Planning for Pregnancy tool for more ways to have a healthier pregnancy.