Vaping and pregnancy
On this page
Vaping is not harmless. If you have never smoked, do not start vaping.
In addition to stopping tobacco smoking, we recommend you stop vaping during pregnancy.
See also:
Know the facts about vaping and pregnancy
Vaping is not harmless.
If you have never smoked tobacco
Do not start vaping. Nicotine is addictive and may be harmful to developing babies. If you vape, the best thing for you and your baby is to stop vaping.
If you have tobacco dependence
Vapes may be less harmful to lung health for non-pregnant people than tobacco. However, we do not yet know how vapes affect your health when pregnant, or the health of babies as they grow in the womb.
Do not smoke and use vapes at the same time as this is more harmful than smoking or vaping alone.
Side effects of vaping
- nicotine addiction
- throat irritation
- dizziness and headaches
- coughing or shortness of breath
Things to consider when stopping vaping
Where you vape
- Vape-free homes are important to ensure the safety of those around you, particularly children.
- Only use a vape outside.
- Store vapes and liquids out of reach of children.
When you vape
- Increase the amount of time between vaping sessions. If you normally vape every 20 minutes, try waiting 40 minutes.
- Do not constantly have your vape in your hand.
What you vape
- Disposable vapes are now banned in the UK.
- Make sure that you are using a regulated product from a reputable retailer.
- You can use lower strength vape liquids (lower nicotine content) in a refillable vape.
- Try using a flavour you dislike as this may make vaping less enjoyable.
Important: We're here to help
We can support you to stop vaping and provide free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) which is safe to use during pregnancy and helps to manage nicotine withdrawals.
Important: Stopping smoking or vaping
There's lots of help available to support you to stop smoking or vaping, and to stay stopped.
Your chance of quitting is 3 times higher with the help of a friendly and approachable stop smoking adviser. They can help you to understand smoking and work with you to develop a quit plan. They can also address any specific issues you have regarding smoking and your pregnancy. Other members of your family may want to join you, and there's help available for them too. Ask your community midwife to refer you to our service.
Get other help to stop smoking or vaping from:
- local advisers at Smoke Free Highland
- the Quit Your Way Scotland team
Important: Vaping information from NHS inform
Vaping addiction soon takes hold - vapes that contain nicotine can quickly become harmfully addictive.
Dangers of vaping during pregnancy - we do not know how vaping affects you when you’re pregnant or how it will affect your baby.
About vapes (e-cigarettes) - research into the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes is still quite new.
Important: Smoking, vaping and alcohol policy
NHS Highland operates a no smoking policy within its grounds and premises. Please respect this. It is now illegal to smoke in the grounds of any NHS Highland hospital and you may be fined £50. This policy applies to all patients, staff and visitors.
E-cigarettes (vapes) are currently unlicensed nicotine products for which there is insufficient evidence of safety. In view of this, use of e-cigarettes is not permitted anywhere on NHS Highland sites.
Nicotine replacement therapy is available within all hospital wards, which you can access this as an inpatient if required. Get local help to stop smoking or vaping.
Alcohol is also forbidden on NHS Highland grounds.
More information
See information on this page as pdf documents instead:
- Vaping and pregnancy - Know the facts - Vaping is not harmless (pdf, August 2025)
- Vaping and pregnancy - Know the facts - Things to consider when stopping vaping (pdf, August 2025)
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