MotherToBaby Fact Sheet - Cigarette Smoke - 2026

This fact sheet summarizes research on exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including risks from smoking and secondhand smoke. Exposure may reduce fertility and increase the likelihood of miscarriage, certain birth defects, placental complications, premature delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome. Studies have also identified associations between prenatal cigarette-smoke exposure and later learning or behavioral difficulties. Nicotine and other chemicals can enter breast milk, while secondhand smoke can affect an infant’s health after birth. Stopping smoking at any point during pregnancy can benefit fetal growth and development, and reducing exposure is encouraged when quitting completely is not immediately possible. Healthcare providers and smoking-cessation services can offer guidance and support.

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