Almost half (43%) of all pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women smoke.1 At all stages of pregnancy, including pre-conception and post-partum, tobacco and vape use can have a negative effect on both mum and bub's health.

Smoking can make it more difficult to get pregnant by negatively effecting the fertility of both parents. Sperm and eggs can be damaged by cigarette and vape toxins, reducing the chance of conceiving.

The benefits of quitting can be seen almost immediately. Fertility can improve for both partners, making conception more likely and decreasing the risk of pregnancy complications (including miscarriage and still birth).

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, everything mum does, bub does too, including smoking and vaping.

Although nicotine is the addictive chemical found in cigarettes and vapes, other harmful toxins can cause extreme damage to the body.7 When mum smokes, bub does too. Absorbing all the chemicals and toxins mum does, bub can even develop a nicotine addiction. 

Smoking during pregnancy can lead to a wide range of complications, including low birth weight, heart disease, asthma, stroke, high blood pressure, premature birth, stillbirth and illness for both mum and bub.

Simply reducing the amount of cigarettes or vapes used during pregnancy will still cause damage, but it's never too late to quit. Quitting before pregnancy is the deadliest choice for both mum and bub.

After pregnancy, staying smoke-free will help give bub a deadlier future.

Out of every 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who smoke, only one successfully quits during pregnancy.2

If mum begins smoking or vaping again after birth, bub can still consume nicotine and other toxins through breast milk and passive smoke. This can lead to the development of a nicotine addiction and ongoing chronic health issues (including asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions).

Passive smoke is when a person inhales toxins from cigarettes and vapes from somebody or something nearby.

Second-hand smoke

Occurs when a person inhales smoke exhaled by a smoker or from the end of a burning cigarette.3 

Third-hand smoke

Occurs when inhaling tobacco smoke that has been absorbed in objects and surfaces, such as clothing, hair, furniture, walls, carpets, fabrics and toys. When a person smokes in a confined space such as a car or room, the smoke leaves chemicals on surfaces and attaches to dust, which can also contain nicotine.4

Vapes

Exposure to e-cigarette vapour can aggravate existing chronic health conditions such as emphysema or asthma.5

Having a deadly support network can make quitting easier. A support network is a group of trusted individuals (usually family and friends) who help you reach your goals by offering ongoing support during your quit journey.

Yarning with your Mob about your quit journey and why you are choosing to quit can help them to understand your reasons for quitting. Asking those close to you to help keep you on track, motivated and to not smoke around you, can be more helpful than you may realise.

Supporting a deadly mum

Showing support for a loved one's quit journey is always important, especially when individuals are, or are trying to become pregnant.

Support for mum can be shown in many different ways.

1. Have open and supportive yarns about their quit journey and their reasons for quitting
2. Don't smoke or vape around them
3. Remove potential triggers for smoking or vaping in their regular environments (ash trays, lighters, cigarette packets, vapes)
4. Help them navigate stressful scenarios as stress is often a major trigger for cravings
5. Clean your space, including washing fabric items to remove the smell of cigarettes (bonus as this helps reduce third-hand smoke!)
6. Encourage gentle movement (swimming, walking, stretching) to release endorphins and distract from cravings
7. Be patient, navigating quitting is difficult and support from loved ones is vital to a successful quit journey

Information for partners

An entirely smoke and vape-free environment is always the deadliest choice for both mum and bub. This doesn't just mean mum staying smoke-free, but also removing second and third-hand smoke from frequented areas (including the home, car and workplace).

As a partner, staying smoke-free and maintaining a smoke-free environment for mum helps to reduce triggers for nicotine cravings, making for a healthier, deadlier bub and mum.

Free, specialised support programs are available through Quitline for both mums and partners at all stages of pregnancy (including before and after pregnancy). You can access Quitline here or contact them on 13 78 48.

You can also contact your local Aboriginal Medical Service for support during your quit journey.

Don’t be shame, Quit Help is free, confidential and available for all stages of pregnancy (including pre-inception and post-partum).

Support is available through:

• Your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service
• Your General Practitioner (GP) and midwife
• Quitline, who offer free, specialised support programs for both mum and partner. Access here or call 13 78 48

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in pregnancy

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a treatment to help people quit smoking. It works by supplying a dose of nicotine (without the other toxins) to help the user manage cravings. The treatment can be delivered through a variety of options, including gum, lozenges, patches, sprays and inhalers.

Nicotine metabolises faster during pregnancy, especially around the 18-week gestation period, meaning mum may experience more frequent cravings.6

NRT can be an effective aid in a successful quit journey, especially when combined with additional support.

NRT can be used in pregnancy, but it is best to try cold turkey first. Yarn with your GP or midwife to discuss what methods of NRT are best for you.

Prescription medications varenicline (Champix) and bupropion (Zyban) are not safe for use during pregnancy. 

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/indigenous-mothers-babies

2. Kennedy, M., Heris, C., Barrett, E., Bennett, J., Maidment, S., Chamberlain, C., Hussein, P., Longbottom, H., Bacon, S., Field, B.G., Field, B., Ralph, F., & Maddox, R. (2022). Smoking cessation support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study. Medical Journal of Australia, 217, 519-526. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51631

3. Greenhalgh, E., Scollo, M., & Winstanley, M. (2023). Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria. https://www.tobaccoinaustralia. org.au/home.aspx

4. Ibid.

   Tackling Indigenous Smoking. (2023). Facts about vaping (e-cigarettes). https://tacklingsmoking.org.au/e-cigarettes

5. Queensland Government (2023). Pregnancy and Smoking. [online] Quit HQ. Available at: https://www.quithq.initiatives.qld.gov.au/getting-ready/pregnancy-and-smoking [Accessed 23 Aug. 2024].

6. Queensland Health. (2023, December 20). Effects of smoking and tobacco. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-vaping-and-tobacco/about-smoking/effects#health-effects