The effects of smoking on pregnancy and breastfeeding

Abstract

According to the latest Maltese National Obstetric Information System (NOIS) Annual Report of 2020, 8% of expecting mothers were reported to smoke throughout their pregnancy (1). Cigarette smoking during pregnancy as well as lactation is associated with detrimental outcomes for both the mother and baby. However, cigarette smoking is one of the most crucial preventable causes for such outcomes (2). Apart from active smoking by the expecting mother, passive smoking (or second-hand smoking) is also harmful to the baby as it is comprised of the same tobacco smoke toxins found in active cigarette smoking. Furthermore, it has been found that third-hand smoke exposure, which occurs when tobacco components precipitate on surfaces and adhere to dust particles, increases exposure to nicotine especially indoors (3).