Survey of smoking cessation services and pregnant women's views on use of electronic cigarettes in pregnancy

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There is scant published evidence regarding electronic cigarette (EC) use during pregnancy and little is known in England, UK, about smoking cessation services policy and types of advice given to women about EC use during pregnancy. The study involved conducting an online survey of smoking cessation services in England, and administering a self-report questionnaire to pregnant women accessing such a service. The survey of services elicited a response rate of 36 out of 82. Of these, 60% reported not having a policy on advice they give pregnant women on the use of ECs and 69% reported advising women that their use in pregnancy is a personal choice. Of 30 pregnant women approached, 29 completed the self-report questionnaire. Of these, 28% had considered or tried using ECs, 76% were unsure about the potential harms of these compared with smoking and 62% were unsure if women should even have the choice to use ECs during pregnancy. There is uncertainty in smoking cessation services around the use of ECs in pregnancy, robust information is lacking and pregnant women are uncertain about the relative benefits and harms. There is a need for evidence from large, well-designed research studies on the outcomes, attitudes and safety of electronic cigarettes in pregnancy.