Ussher, Michael;
Lewis, Sarah;
Marczylo, Tim;
Blount, Ben;
Brown, James;
Bailey, Alexis;
Coleman, Tim;
... Shahab, Lion; + view all
(2025)
Toxicant and Nicotine Exposure in Pregnant Smokers, Vapers, and Nicotine-Replacement Users: Cross-Sectional Study.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research
, 27
(10)
pp. 1786-1794.
10.1093/ntr/ntaf103.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Given the increasing usage of vaping during pregnancy and limited longitudinal health-related data, there is an urgent need to assess the potential risks of vaping. AIMS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant UK adults (n = 140). Five study groups were purposively recruited: exclusive-smokers (n = 38), exclusive-vapers (former smokers) (n = 35), dual users of smoking and vaping (n = 25), dual users of smoking and nicotine replacement therapy (n = 10), and “never-users” of nicotine or tobacco products (n = 32). Sociodemographic, smoking, and vaping characteristics were assessed. Participants’ urine samples were analyzed for biomarkers of exposure to tobacco alkaloids, and toxicants, including 14 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, copper, and tin) and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (2-naphthol). Regression analysis was used to compare biomarkers by group. RESULTS: Nicotine levels varied across product users, but not significantly. After controlling for confounders, for most VOCs, biomarker levels were similar for exclusive-vapers and never-users and significantly lower than for exclusive-smokers and any dual users. There were generally no significant differences between groups for 2-naphthol or heavy metals. For NNAL, cadmium and chromium, a high percentage of values were below the limit of detection, making analyses unreliable. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, former smokers who are established exclusive vapers, but not dual users, had levels of selected VOCs that were substantially lower than those for exclusive smokers and comparable with those who have never used nicotine or tobacco products.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Toxicant and Nicotine Exposure in Pregnant Smokers, Vapers, and Nicotine-Replacement Users: Cross-Sectional Study |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1093/ntr/ntaf103 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaf103 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10208083 |
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