Survey of pregnant women highlights vaping as ‘area of concern’
An anonymous questionnaire completed by expectant mothers has found vaping to be an emerging area of concern.
The Survey of Pregnant Women 2025 found that 16.7 per cent of respondents reported having used an e-cigarette or other electronic nicotine product, representing a sharp rise from 3.1 per cent in the previous report tabled six years ago.
A total of 60 pregnant women took part in the latest survey, which follows previous rounds in 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2020 and was intended to monitor the reported prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and vaping among respondents who were pregnant at the time of answering.
The Ministry of National Security, through the Department for National Drug Control, combined the World Health Organisation’s alcohol use disorders identification test with questions on tobacco and cannabis use and, for the second time, electronic vaping.
Ten respondents admitted to using e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine within the past year.
The survey report explained: “E-cigarettes are known as battery-operated cigarettes that turn chemicals, including nicotine, into vapour, which is then inhaled. E-cigarettes contain substances that are harmful to a developing baby, like heavy metals, flavourings and cancer-causing chemicals.”
Answering how vaping can harm the newborn, the report states: “Vaping during pregnancy can harm a newborn in many of the same ways that smoking does, because e-cigarettes still deliver nicotine and other harmful chemicals that affect foetal development.”
It added: “In short, vaping during pregnancy can harm the newborn’s growth, brain and lung development, and overall health. Health experts strongly recommend avoiding all forms of nicotine — including e-cigarettes — before, during and after pregnancy to protect the baby from lifelong health risks.”
A little more than half of respondents — 55 per cent — reported never drinking alcohol.
However, 15 per cent reported consuming an alcoholic beverage since becoming pregnant, while 18.4 per cent reported having six or more drinks on one occasion. Two respondents scored 8 or more on the identification test, indicating hazardous or harmful alcohol use and possible alcohol dependence.
Six people reported using tobacco in the past year, with no reported present or past 30-day cigarette use.
Nearly 1 in 5 said they quit smoking because they became pregnant, while more than 91 per cent said they were aware of the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy.
Additionally, about 1 in 4 respondents reported using cannabis in the past year, while 1.7 per cent reported active use.
The 36-page-document also explains how maternal health behaviours have undergone notable shifts in Bermuda over the past 20 years.
The average maternal age has steadily increased, with fewer younger mothers and more women in their thirties.
Tobacco use was found to decline significantly, while alcohol consumption remained a persistent concern.
Several practical areas for continued prevention and intervention work are also identified in the report.
These include public health education on the risks of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and vaping during pregnancy, targeted outreach to women of childbearing age, education through childbirth classes, referral pathways to support services for women who report substance use, and vaping education in prenatal and preconception health programmes.
The DNDC says it will “continue to use the findings to support evidence-informed prevention and public education efforts, while continuing to gather data to help policymakers and health partners better understand substance use trends among pregnant women in Bermuda”.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said: “This survey gives us important evidence from 60 pregnant women who voluntarily participated and it helps the Department for National Drug Control and our health partners better understand the choices, risks and support needs that may exist during pregnancy.
“I encourage members of the public, health professionals and community partners to review the report and support continued efforts to improve the health and safety of mothers, babies and families in Bermuda.”
• To view the report in full, see Related Media
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