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Electronic cigarettes, not recommended during pregnancy
It is the new technique for smokers looking to slow down their tobacco consumption and it even appeals to pregnant women. However, the electronic cigarette would not be without danger. In a report published in August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends banning it for minors … and expectant mothers. ” There is sufficient evidence to warn children, adolescents, pregnant women and women of childbearing potential against the use of electronic nicotine inhalers because exposure of the fetus and adolescent to this substance has long-term consequences on brain development Says the organization. That has the merit of being clear.
Nicotine, dangerous for the fetus
« We have little perspective on the effects of the e-cigarette, observes Prof. Deruelle, Secretary General of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF). But what we do know is that it contains nicotine, and the harmful effects of this substance on the fetus have been described by numerous studies.. Nicotine crosses the placenta and acts directly on the baby’s nervous system.
In addition, contrary to popular belief, the use of e-cigarettes does not always reduce tobacco consumption. It all depends on the dosage of nicotine present in the e-liquid that we choose, and the frequency of use of the electronic cigarette. ” If you spend your day shooting, you may end up absorbing the same amount of nicotine as if you had smoked cigarettes. », Assures the specialist. The nicotine addiction then remains the same.
Lire aussi : Tobacco and pregnancy
E-cigarette: other suspicious components …
Vaping helps prevent the absorption of tar, carbon monoxide and other unsavory additives. The electronic cigarette is indeed free of these components, but it contains others, the harmlessness of which has not yet been verified. According to the WHO, “the aerosol produced by electronic cigarettes (…) is not simple“ water vapor ”as the marketing strategies of these products often claim”. This vapor would contain toxic substances, but at much lower concentrations than tobacco smoke. Likewise, since the liquid used in the cartridges must be hot in order to be able to evaporate, steam is certainly inhaled, but also heated plastic. We know the potential toxicity of plastics. Last complaint: the opacity that reigns over the e-liquid production sectors. ” All products are not necessarily of the same quality, underlines Prof. Deruelle, and so far there are no safety standards for cigarettes and liquids. ”
For all these reasons, e-cigarettes are strongly discouraged during pregnancy. Professionals must offer smoking cessation assistance to pregnant women who smoke, and direct them to a tobacco consultation. But in case of failure, “we can possibly offer electronic cigarettes, concedes the Secretary General of the CNGOF. It is an intermediate solution which can effectively reduce the risks. “
Study warns of the dangers of e-cigarettes on the fetus
The electronic cigarette would be just as dangerous as traditional tobacco during pregnancy, in terms of fetal development. In any case, this is what is emphasized by three researchers who presented their work at the annual congress of theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), February 11, 2016. They conducted two series of experiments, the first on humans, the second on mice.
In humans, they claimed that electronic cigarettes harmed nasal mucus, which decreased immune defenses and therefore increased the risk of infections. This detrimental effect was even greater than in a conventional tobacco smoker. In addition, their research carried out on mice showed that the e-cigarette without nicotine had as much or more harmful effects on the fetus than products containing nicotine. Mice exposed to e-cigarette vapors in the prenatal and postnatal periods were at greater risk of developing neurological problems, some of which are associated with schizophrenia. In addition, once adults, these mice exposed in utero to e-cigarettes had more cardiovascular risks than the others.
Electronic cigarettes that also contain toxins
For their study, the researchers were also interested in the toxins present in e-cigarette vapors. And contrary to popular belief, “ e-cigarette aerosols contain many of the same toxic aldehydes – acid aldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein – found in tobacco smoke », Assures Daniel Conklin, co-author of the study. Gold, these compounds are highly toxic to the heart, among others. The three researchers therefore call for more scientific studies on e-cigarettes, especially as new and very attractive products keep appearing on the market.