E-cigarettes are fairly new and there are still some things we do not know. However, current evidence on e-cigarettes indicates they are much less risky than smoking.
E-cigarettes allow you to inhale nicotine through a vapour rather than smoke.
E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the two main toxins in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is particularly harmful to developing babies as it reduces their oxygen supply. The vapour from an e-cigarette does contain some of the potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels.
Quitting is the safest option for you and your baby but if solely using an e-cigarette helps you to stop smoking, it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.
Unlike nicotine replacement therapy NRT e-cigarettes are not available on an NHS prescription. If you want to use an e-cigarette, you can still get free expert help from a stop smoking adviser.