Most people with an interest in vaping will be aware research is still continuing into the long-term efficacy and safety of vaping, particularly when used to help those wanting to quit smoking. However, little has yet been said on the topic of vaping and pregnancy.
That looks set to change, though, with the announcement of a new study on vaping and pregnancy. The UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies is looking to recruit several hundred women to take part in the study during 2017. The long-term study will monitor women during pregnancy, and their babies will also be monitored to see if vaping has any effect on them. According to reports, the checks will continue until the children reach the age of two. Reports also indicate the study will take place in Scotland.
This should be the first study of its kind to focus on pregnancy and whether vaping may or may not be safe in this instance. It will be interesting to see whether any pregnant women are willing to take part. Of course, since vaping is often touted as a safer alternative to smoking, women who smoke and then fall pregnant may well see vaping as a better option during their pregnancies.
We will be very interested to see what happens with the study, although with a two-year period following the pregnancies, it will be some time yet before we get any answers. With more and more studies into vaping taking place in general, it was only a matter of time before an important area of interest such as pregnancy came under the spotlight. Many women wouldn’t smoke or vape during pregnancy, but could vaping provide a safer alternative for those who can’t or won’t give up for good?
