What are some reasons to quit using tobacco and vaping products before getting pregnant?

One of the best ways for anyone to improve their health and decrease the risk of disease is to stop using tobacco and vaping products. This can also increase fertility and reduce the risk of harm to a developing baby or child.

Benefits of quitting include:

• lower risk of diseases linked to smoking tobacco: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, lung and breathing problems, early death
• less chance of problems with fertility (getting pregnant), miscarriage and birth defects. (Nicotine can impact quality of sperm and later increase these health risks too)
• less chance of smoking related health risks: slowdown in growth of the developing baby, premature birth, low birth weight baby, and complications during labour that can lead to death of the parent, baby or both. Babies born at a healthy birth weight are less likely to have infections and other health problems.
• less chance of harmful effects from nicotine on a child’s ability to learn and think such as with decision-making, hearing, emotions and behaviour. (Nicotine is found in these products and may impair brain development)

See more benefits for quitting smoking here.

For more information to lower your risk, go to Tobacco Use, Smoking and Vaping