Among 111 women who vaped during pregnancy or postpartum, 28% vaped cannabis and 21% vaped both nicotine and cannabis, with most vaping daily and believing it was safer than smoking.
Obstetricians, prenatal care providers, public health researchers
28% vaped cannabis during pregnancy, with 65% vaping daily
What the researchers found
51.4% vaped nicotine only, 27.9% vaped cannabis only, and 20.7% vaped both. 64.9% vaped daily. Primary reasons were relaxation, managing anxiety/depression, enjoyment, and the belief that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Women commonly consulted healthcare providers about potential harm to pregnancy and fetal health.
Why it matters
Cannabis vaping during pregnancy is an emerging concern that has received little research attention. The belief that vaping is safer than smoking may give pregnant women a false sense of security, especially since the health effects of vaping cannabis during pregnancy are largely unknown.
The numbers in context
111 women; 51.4% nicotine only, 27.9% cannabis, 20.7% both; 63.1% currently pregnant, 36.9% postpartum; 64.9% vaped daily; fruit flavors most popular; top reasons: relaxation, anxiety/depression management, enjoyment, perceived harm reduction vs smoking
How the study worked
Online survey of 111 women recruited via social media who vaped nicotine and/or cannabis during pregnancy or postpartum. Questions covered reasons for vaping, risk perceptions, attitudes, and healthcare provider consultations.
What this study cannot tell us
Small convenience sample (111 women) recruited via social media, self-selection bias toward women more open about vaping, no biological verification of use, cross-sectional design, cannot determine actual health effects of vaping during pregnancy
How to read the evidence
Small convenience sample recruited via social media; provides novel descriptive data but limited representativeness
When this study was published
Published 2025
The bigger picture
As vaping technology makes cannabis consumption more discreet and accessible, its use during pregnancy may be increasing in ways that traditional substance use screening does not capture. The harm reduction belief driving this behavior may not be supported by evidence.
Questions still open
- Is cannabis vaping during pregnancy actually less harmful than smoking cannabis? Are current prenatal screening tools capturing vaping behavior? How should healthcare providers address the harm-reduction belief that drives prenatal vaping?
Common questions
Do pregnant women vape cannabis?
Why do pregnant women vape?
Read the original research
Women's Experiences with Nicotine and Cannabis Vaping During Pregnancy and Postpartum.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 13(3)
Citation
Brabete, Andreea C; Greaves, Lorraine; Poole, Nancy; Huber, Ella; Stinson, Julie. (2025). Women's Experiences with Nicotine and Cannabis Vaping During Pregnancy and Postpartum.. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 13(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030223
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