At a glance
E-cigarettes are not safe for pregnant women. If you’re pregnant, quitting all forms of tobacco products is best for you and your baby. Learn more about resources to quit.
Overview
Electronic cigarettes (also called e-cigarettes) contain a battery, a heating device, and a cartridge to hold liquid. The liquid typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. The battery-powered device heats the liquid in the cartridge into an aerosol that the user inhales.
E-cigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy. Nicotine is a health danger for a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. It can damage the brain and lungs as they develop. Also, some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes may also be harmful.
E-cigarettes are not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help people quit smoking. Individual, group, and telephone counseling have been found effective in helping people to quit.
If you're pregnant and haven’t been able to quit smoking, talk to your health care provider. You can discuss the risks and benefits of FDA-approved medications.
After your baby is born, there are more options for FDA-approved quit-smoking medications. Quitting smoking can be hard, but it can help protect you and your baby from health problems. Quitting early or before pregnancy is the best, but it's never too late to quit smoking.