Pregnant women with any history of cannabis use were significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy and postpartum, regardless of whether they had a cannabis use disorder.
Clinicians working with pregnant women and researchers studying perinatal substance use.
11x higher odds of smoking in early pregnancy with cannabis history
What the researchers found
History of cannabis use predicted cigarette smoking in early pregnancy (OR 11.12), late pregnancy (OR 6.55), and 6 months postpartum (OR 7.57). Having a cannabis use disorder diagnosis did not add additional risk beyond any cannabis use history.
Why it matters
As cannabis use among pregnant women increases, understanding its connection to cigarette smoking could improve cessation efforts during the perinatal period.
The numbers in context
252 women analyzed. 48% reported prior cannabis use, 15% met criteria for lifetime cannabis use disorder. Odds of smoking ranged from 6.55 to 11.12 times higher for those with cannabis history.
How the study worked
Prospective cohort study of 257 pregnant women with overweight/obesity in Western Pennsylvania (2012-2016), using structured clinical interviews and generalized mixed effect models adjusting for demographics, parity, and mood disorders.
What this study cannot tell us
Sample limited to women with overweight/obesity in one geographic region. Lifetime CUD was measured, not current use. Small sample size limits power to detect CUD-specific effects.
How to read the evidence
Prospective cohort with structured clinical interviews, though limited by sample size and population specificity.
When this study was published
Published in 2022 with data from 2012-2016.
The bigger picture
The finding that any cannabis use history, not just disorder-level use, predicted perinatal smoking suggests screening for cannabis history could identify women at higher risk for continued cigarette use.
Questions still open
- Would these associations hold in a general-weight population? Does concurrent cannabis use during pregnancy further increase smoking rates?
Common questions
Did cannabis use disorder make smoking risk even higher?
How large were the smoking differences?
Read the original research
Cohort Study of Cannabis Use History and Perinatal Cigarette Use Among Overweight and Obese Women.
Maternal and child health journal, 26(2), 389-396
Citation
De Genna, Natacha M; Germeroth, Lisa J; Benno, Maria Tina; Wang, Bang; Levine, Michele D. (2022). Cohort Study of Cannabis Use History and Perinatal Cigarette Use Among Overweight and Obese Women.. Maternal and child health journal, 26(2), 389-396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03246-9
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