Adverse Effects of Tobacco Use During Pregnancy

On the occasion of Pregnancy Awareness Week (February 3–17), the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association highlights the importance of educating women and couples about the dos and don’ts during pregnancy to improve maternal and fetal health and prevent potential complications.

Tobacco use—whether active smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke—has significant adverse effects on fertility, maternal health, and fetal development. Active smoking can increase the risk of infertility, while tobacco use during pregnancy is linked to serious outcomes, including:

• Placental abruption – premature separation of the placenta, compromising fetal oxygen and nutrient supply

• Preterm birth

• Low birth weight

• Small-for-gestational-age infants

• Congenital and developmental issues

Secondhand smoke exposure also poses substantial risks for both the mother and child, such as:

Maternal effects:

• Placental abruption

• Spontaneous miscarriage

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Preterm labor

Fetal and neonatal effects:

• Impaired lung development

• Low birth weight

• Reduced cognitive function (lower IQ)

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• Increased risk of febrile seizures, asthma, and allergies

Raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco is crucial for protecting maternal and neonatal health.

Prepared by Zahra Sadr – Director of the Women’s Unit, Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association