Vaping During Pregnancy: What Women in Singapore Need to Know About the Risks to Their Unborn Baby

Vaping is often perceived as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, partly because e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco in the same way conventional cigarettes do. However, when it comes to pregnancy, the absence of cigarette smoke does not mean an absence of risk.

Electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes or vaporisers, heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale. These liquids may contain nicotine, flavouring agents and other chemicals. Some products may also contain substances that users do not expect.

For women who are planning to conceive, are pregnant, or have recently discovered that they are expecting a baby, understanding these risks is important. Nicotine can affect the developing fetus, while other substances in vaping aerosols may also pose health concerns.

In Singapore, the issue carries additional significance because vaporisers are prohibited under the country’s laws. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) have repeatedly highlighted the harmful substances found in these devices and the risks associated with nicotine exposure.

So, what does the available research tell us about vaping and pregnancy, and what should women do if they have been vaping before discovering they are pregnant?

1. Nicotine Can Affect a Baby’s Developing Brain and Lungs

One of the primary concerns about vaping during pregnancy is nicotine exposure.

Nicotine is an addictive substance that can cross the placenta, exposing the developing fetus. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine is harmful during pregnancy and can damage the developing brain and lungs.

These organs undergo important stages of development before birth. Exposure to substances that interfere with normal development is therefore a significant concern.

The difficulty is that some vape products are marketed with appealing flavours or packaging that may make them seem relatively harmless. However, flavour does not indicate safety, and a product’s appearance cannot establish whether its ingredients are safe for a pregnant woman.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health has also warned that long-term nicotine exposure is linked to harmful effects on the development of unborn babies.

Importantly, the potential risks are not limited to products that resemble traditional cigarettes. A nicotine-containing vape can expose a pregnant woman and her developing baby to nicotine without producing the same type of smoke associated with combustible tobacco.

2. Vaping May Increase the Risk of Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth

Another important concern is the association between e-cigarette use during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.

A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology examined data from 79,176 people with a recent live birth in the United States, using information collected between 2016 and 2018.

The researchers investigated whether e-cigarette use before pregnancy or during the final three months of pregnancy was associated with outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight.

Among participants who reported e-cigarette use during the last three months of pregnancy, the prevalence of low birth weight was 8.1%, compared with 6.1% among those who did not use e-cigarettes. After statistical adjustment, vaping during pregnancy was associated with a higher prevalence of low birth weight.

Among participants who did not also smoke combustible cigarettes during pregnancy, the study found associations with both low birth weight and preterm birth, particularly among daily e-cigarette users.

These findings are concerning because low birth weight and premature birth can be associated with additional health and developmental challenges for infants.

However, it is important to interpret the evidence accurately. This was an observational study, meaning the researchers identified associations rather than proving that vaping alone caused each outcome. The findings also came from a US population and should not be treated as Singapore-specific risk estimates.

Nevertheless, the study adds to the evidence supporting recommendations to avoid e-cigarettes during pregnancy.

3. Vape Aerosols Can Contain More Than Nicotine

Nicotine is not the only substance that deserves attention.

The HSA warns that vaporisers can contain or emit harmful substances, including fine particulate matter, cancer-causing agents, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals such as lead, tin and nickel.

The precise composition of a vaping aerosol can vary according to the device, liquid, heating conditions and product source. As a result, users cannot reliably assess exposure simply by looking at the vape or checking its flavour.

Even products advertised as nicotine-free should not automatically be considered safe. Singapore’s MOH has explained that aerosols from e-cigarettes can contain harmful substances even when nicotine is absent.

For pregnant women, this creates an additional concern: avoiding nicotine alone may not eliminate exposure to other potentially harmful chemicals.

At present, research has not established the exact pregnancy-related risk of every chemical found in every vaping product. This uncertainty is not evidence that the products are safe. Instead, it supports a precautionary approach, particularly during fetal development.

4. Is Vaping Before Pregnancy Also a Concern?

Women who vape before becoming pregnant may wonder whether their previous exposure could affect a future pregnancy.

The available evidence needs to be interpreted carefully. In the previously mentioned study, e-cigarette use during the three months before pregnancy was not associated with the adverse birth outcomes examined. However, this does not establish that vaping before conception is completely risk-free.

Nicotine is addictive, and continuing to vape can make it more difficult to stop once pregnancy begins. Women who are planning to conceive can therefore benefit from stopping vaping beforehand and discussing any concerns about nicotine use with a healthcare professional.

For women who discover they are pregnant while still vaping, the most important step is to seek appropriate advice and stop further exposure rather than assume that previous use has necessarily harmed the baby.

There is no reliable way to determine an individual baby’s risk from vaping history alone. A healthcare professional can review the person’s circumstances and recommend appropriate antenatal care.

5. What If a Vape Is Labelled Nicotine-Free?

A nicotine-free label does not guarantee that a vaping product is harmless.

According to Singapore’s MOH, e-cigarette aerosols may contain fine particles, volatile organic compounds, carbonyls and metals released from device components. These substances can present health concerns even when nicotine is absent.

Another challenge is that the contents of some products may not be reliably represented by their packaging. Consumers may therefore have difficulty knowing exactly what they are inhaling.

For pregnant women, avoiding vaping altogether is the more cautious approach. Switching to a supposedly nicotine-free product should not be considered an established way to protect fetal development.

6. What Should Pregnant Women in Singapore Do If They Vape?

Quitting can be challenging, particularly for people who have developed nicotine dependence. However, support is available, and pregnancy is a good reason to discuss cessation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Here are practical steps to consider:

Stop vaping and seek professional guidance. Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should discuss their vaping history with their doctor or obstetrician. Healthcare professionals can help assess nicotine dependence and advise on suitable cessation strategies.

Avoid switching to cigarettes. Replacing vaping with conventional cigarettes is not a safe solution during pregnancy. Both nicotine exposure and the other harmful substances associated with tobacco use are concerns.

Ask before using nicotine replacement products. Nicotine replacement therapy and other cessation treatments should be discussed with a healthcare professional during pregnancy. Do not assume that a product is suitable simply because it is intended to help people quit smoking.

Identify triggers and seek support. Stress, social situations and established routines can make quitting difficult. Counselling, practical coping strategies and support from trusted people may help women manage cravings and avoid returning to vaping.

Continue routine antenatal appointments. If vaping occurred before pregnancy was recognised, inform the healthcare professional rather than avoiding the conversation. An exposure history does not automatically mean that the baby has been harmed, and appropriate medical guidance is preferable to speculation.

Singapore’s government vaping information directs people seeking help to the Health Promotion Board’s QuitLine at 1800 438 2000. As of September 2026, the government states that its time-limited QuitVape programme has ceased, while the QuitLine remains available for people seeking help to stop vaping.

7. Singapore’s Position on Vaping and Public Health

Singapore has adopted a strict approach to vaporisers. According to the HSA and government guidance, the importation, sale, distribution, purchase, possession and use of vaporisers are prohibited.

The Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act took effect on 1 May 2026, strengthening the country’s legislative framework for addressing vaporisers and specified psychoactive substances.

These measures reflect wider public health concerns, including nicotine addiction, exposure to toxic substances and the uncertain long-term effects of vaping. They are not pregnancy-specific regulations, but they provide important context for women living in Singapore.

Singapore’s HealthHub educational resources also warn that vaping can affect fetal development. This message is consistent with the CDC’s recommendation that pregnant women avoid e-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products.

For women who are pregnant or planning to conceive, the health message is straightforward: vaping should not be regarded as a safe alternative during pregnancy.