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Toxicant and nicotine exposure in pregnant smokers, vapers and nicotine-replacement users: cross-sectional study

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 and Tobacco Research (In press).

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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. 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/vaping (n=25), dual users of smoking/nicotine replacement therapy (n=10), and ‘never-users’ of nicotine/tobacco products (n=32). Sociodemographic, smoking and vaping characteristics were assessed. Participants’ urine samples were analysed 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, 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. Implications Based on the biomarkers assessed in this study, during pregnancy, on average, exclusive-vapers are likely to have similar levels of exposure to selected VOCs as never-users and far lower levels than exclusive-smokers or dual-users (although dual-vaping/smoking may result in less exposure than exclusive-smoking). This provides preliminary information about exposure to vaping during pregnancy and suggests that, for some biomarkers, exclusive-vaping is likely to result in lower exposures than exclusive-smoking or dual-use. There may be exposure to other vaping toxicants that were not explored in this study. Studies are needed to assess pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as early-life effects.

Type: Article
Title: Toxicant and nicotine exposure in pregnant smokers, vapers and nicotine-replacement users: cross-sectional study
Publisher version: https://academic.oup.com/ntr/
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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