Gestational Women's Perceptions About the Harms of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Use During Pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to examine differences between perceived harm of cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use while pregnant and differences between healthcare providers' communication about these products during pregnancy.

A convenience sample of gestational women (n = 218; ages 18-45) living in the US completed an online survey between May and December 2017. Participants reported perceived likelihood of adverse health outcomes (e.g., low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome) among infants/children born to mothers who used cigarettes/e-cigarettes. T-tests and two-way ANOVAs examined differences between risk perceptions of using cigarettes/e-cigarettes while pregnant based on pregnancy status (previously pregnant, currently pregnant, future pregnant). Chi-square analyses examined differences between healthcare provider communication about cigarette/e-cigarette use during pregnancy.

Overall, participants believed adverse health outcomes were significantly more likely to be caused by maternal use of cigarettes than e-cigarettes. Participants who planned to be pregnant reported higher endorsement that smoking combustible cigarettes would cause a miscarriage (p < .05) or increased blood pressure (p < .05) for a child than currently pregnant participants. Participants reported healthcare providers asked about (p < .05), advised them not to use (p < .001), and talked to them about health effects of smoking combustible cigarettes while pregnant (p < .001) significantly more than e-cigarettes.

Healthcare providers working with pregnant women should perform the 5As behavioral intervention method to provide pregnant women with tobacco cessation care. They should also discuss the absolute harm nicotine exposure (via cigarettes or e-cigarettes) can have on fetal health and development.