Anyone who has tried to give up smoking will know that it can be tough to kick the habit, which is why e-cigarettes have risen in popularity over the past number of years.

 

While many pregnant women have turned to ‘vaping’ as an alternative to consuming tobacco however, it seems that this could be proving just as harmful to their unborn babies.

 

A new study, conducted by a team of experts at the New York University, found that the vapour inhaled through e-cigarettes could adversely affect a child’s coordination, and memory and learning skills in later years. An increased risk of learning difficulties and developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was also found.

 

As part of their experiments, the team exposed pregnant laboratory mice to a vapour containing no traces of tobacco. What they found was alarming – the vapour proved to be even more harmful to the nervous system than tobacco compounds.

 

Driving the point home, Professor Judith Zelikoff said: “Women may be turning to e-cigarettes as an alternative because they think they’re safe – well, they’re not. What people don’t realise is that even without nicotine, there are many things that are given off when you heat up and vaporise these products.”

 

Health experts have responded to the research findings by suggesting that pregnant women “avoid all kinds of smoking” during pregnancy.

 

SHARE this article to spread word of the research and raise awareness among other mums and mums-to-be.

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