Perceptions, Characteristics, and Behaviors of Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use among Pregnant Smokers.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the perceptions, characteristics, and behaviors of cigarette and electronic cigarette use among pregnant smokers. The study focuses on understanding the reasons for and patterns of e-cigarette use among pregnant women who also smoke traditional cigarettes. The study's findings are foundational for future research to explore the association between product use and maternal and infant outcomes.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed 176 pregnant smokers, of which 38% were dual users of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
* More than half of the participants believed e-cigarettes were harmful to women and posed harm to the fetus.
* among dual users, 41% used their e-cigarette daily, on average eight times/day.
* Eleven percent of dual users smoked a pack of cigarettes/day, compared to 5% of conventional-only smokers.
* Dual users scored significantly higher on the Penn State Cigarette Dependence Index.
* The most common e-cigarette liquid flavor was fruit (64%), and the most frequently reported e-cigarette nicotine concentration was 1-6mg.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy, as any level of nicotine is known to be harmful to a developing fetus. The findings suggest that dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is common among pregnant smokers and is associated with higher levels of nicotine dependence. Further research is needed to explore the association between product use and maternal and infant outcomes. It is crucial to educate pregnant women about the risks associated with e-cigarette use and to develop effective strategies to support cessation of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes during pregnancy.

McCubbin a, Wiggins a, Barnett J, ashford K. Perceptions, Characteristics, and Behaviors of Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use among Pregnant Smokers. Women’s health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s health. 2020;30(3):221-229. doi:10.1016/j.whi.2020.03.006