MEDIA RELEASE – 11 August 2026

College supports call for clearer advice on vaping during pregnancy

The New Zealand College of Midwives | Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa (the College) supports calls for greater awareness of the potential risks of vaping during pregnancy, following new research examining maternal nicotine exposure and sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

New Zealand research (Mitchell et al., 2026) has found maternal vaping was reported in a significant proportion of the SUDI cases studied, particularly where infants were directly bed sharing. While the researchers emphasise the study does not establish that vaping causes SUDI, they say the findings raise concerns about the potential effects of nicotine exposure during pregnancy.

New Zealand College of Midwives Midwifery Advisor Te Paea Bradshaw says the findings are important and reinforce the need for clear, evidence-based information for pregnant women and whānau.

“Vaping is often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking, but safer does not mean without risk, particularly during pregnancy.

“Women need clear information about what we know, what we are still learning, and the support available to help them make informed decisions about their health and the health of their pēpi.”

Evidence about vaping during pregnancy continues to emerge, with research associating its use with adverse pregnancy outcomes including low birthweight, preterm birth and babies being small for gestational age.

The College says it is important that messaging around vaping recognises the distinction between its use as a harm-reduction tool for someone who smokes and the perception that vaping is harmless in its own right.

“For a woman who smokes, vaping may form part of a pathway towards becoming smokefree. However, women who do not smoke should not be encouraged to take up vaping during pregnancy, and vaping should not be seen as risk-free,” Te Paea says.

The College supports the researchers’ call for a pregnancy-specific approach that aims to reduce nicotine exposure while ensuring women who smoke or vape are offered appropriate and accessible support.

“Pregnancy is a time when many women are highly motivated to make changes for their own health and their baby’s health. The focus must be on providing supportive, practical and non-judgemental care that helps women reduce and, where possible, stop nicotine use.

“Midwives have an important role in having these conversations, providing evidence-based information and connecting women with appropriate cessation support.”

The College also supports continued research into the effects of vaping and nicotine exposure during pregnancy to ensure public health advice keeps pace with emerging evidence.

“What is important is that women are not left with the impression that vaping during pregnancy is harmless. As the evidence develops, our advice and support need to develop with it.”

ENDS

Media contact:
For further information or inquiries contact: Hayley McMurtrie, New Zealand College of Midwives Communications Manager, 03 377 2732, communications@nzcom.org.nz