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

There is scant published evidence regarding electronic cigarette use during pregnancy and little is known in England, UK about smoking cessation services policy and type of advice given to women about electronic cigarette use during pregnancy. An internet survey of smoking cessation services in England, UK was conducted. A self-report questionnaire was administered to pregnant women accessing a smoking cessation service in England, UK. 36 out of 82 stop smoking services responded to the online survey. 60% reported they did not have a policy on the type of electronic cigarette advice they give pregnant women and 69% of services reported they advise pregnant women that electronic cigarette use during pregnancy is a personal choice. 29 out of 30 pregnant women approached completed the self-report questionnaire. 28% of women had considered or tried using electronic cigarettes, 76% were unsure about the potential harms of electronic cigarettes compared to smoking and 62% were unsure if women should even have the choice to use electronic cigarettes during pregnancy. There is uncertainty in smoking cessation services around the policy and practice of electronic cigarette use during pregnancy; robust information is lacking and pregnant women were uncertain about the relative benefits and harms of using them. Evidence from large, well-designed research studies on the outcomes, attitudes and safety of electronic cigarettes during pregnancy, particularly in community settings, is needed.