Electronic Cigarette Use During Pregnancy

In addition to examining characteristics of pregnant e-cig users as well as patterns of their product use, this study is innovative in several ways. First, it is the first known study to examine toxicant exposure to cigarettes and e-cigs in a sample of pregnant smokers who are using these products. Although studies have reported on toxic exposures with e-cigs, this is the first study to apply toxic exposure tests to pregnant women.

Second this is the first study to examine the impact of electronic cigarette use on birth outcomes in pregnant smokers. Although e-cigarettes are similar to tobacco cigarettes in that they deliver nicotine, they are distinguished from tobacco cigarettes in that they do not contain many toxic substances such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Consequently, similar to nicotine replacement therapies they have the potential to improve birth outcomes. However, it possible that there may be unanticipated negative effects on birth outcomes, and this study could provide a signal for potential other adverse effects (i.e., miscarriages etc.). Third, this study is the first to examine whether e-cigs alter carcinogen exposure to the fetus, which has been implicated in causing low birth weight and in long-term cancer risk for infants born to smokers. Finally, this is the first study to explore formaldehyde in urine as a measurement of conventional smoking and electronic cigarette use.

Inclusion criteria

• cigarette smokers who exclusively smoke conventional cigarettes daily, or who use e-cigs daily, or who use either product daily and the other product at least weekly.
• Participant is ≤ 24 weeks gestation for conventional smokers and ≤ 36 weeks gestation for e-cig users or dual users.
• at least 16 years of age
• able to speak English or Spanish;
• able to read and sign consent form
• intent to carry pregnancy to term.

Exclusion criteria

• current drug or alcohol abuse or dependence (other than methadone or buprenorphine maintenance)
• participant uses combustible marijuana more than 3 times per week (use of edibles/oils is permitted
• unstable psychiatric disorder
• unstable medical problems (e.g., pre-eclampsia, threatened abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum)
• known congenital abnormality
• Regular use of tobacco products other than conventional or e-cigs