does vaping affect fertility
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Does Vaping Affect Fertility?
Smoking clearly harms fertility; vaping is less researched and not assumed safe. When trying to conceive, the advice is to avoid nicotine.
If you are thinking about starting a family, it is wise to ask whether vaping affects fertility. The honest position is that smoking is clearly harmful to fertility in both men and women, while vaping is newer and less researched, so it cannot be assumed to be free of effects on fertility. Because nicotine and other ingredients may have an impact, the advice when trying to conceive is to avoid smoking and ideally nicotine altogether. This guide explains what is known.
Quick answer
Smoking clearly harms fertility in both men and women. Vaping is less researched, so it cannot be assumed safe for fertility, and nicotine may have effects. If you are trying to conceive, the advice is to avoid smoking and ideally nicotine altogether, and to speak to a GP.
What we know about smoking and fertility
The clearest evidence is about smoking, which is well established as harmful to fertility for both partners. It can affect the chances of conceiving and is linked to a range of reproductive problems. Stopping smoking is one of the recommended steps for couples trying to conceive, which is why it features in fertility advice so prominently.
Smoking, vaping and fertility
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Smoking | Clearly harmful to fertility in men and women |
| Vaping | Less researched; cannot be assumed safe |
| Nicotine | May have effects on reproductive health |
| Trying to conceive | Avoid smoking, ideally nicotine altogether |
| Pregnancy | Nicotine products are not suitable |
Where vaping fits
Vaping is much newer than smoking, so the long term research on its effect on fertility is still developing and less complete. What we can say is that it is far less harmful than smoking in general, but that does not mean it is proven safe for fertility, and nicotine itself may play a role. The responsible position is caution rather than reassurance, especially when actively trying for a baby.
Smoking clearly harms fertility, and vaping is too new to be called safe for it. When trying to conceive, the cautious, sensible step is to avoid nicotine altogether.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Vaping is proven safe for fertility | It is not; the research is still developing, so it cannot be assumed safe. |
| Only women need to think about this | Both partners health matters for fertility. |
| If vaping is safer than smoking, it is fine when trying to conceive | Less harmful is not the same as safe; the advice is to avoid nicotine. |
| Nicotine has no role in fertility | Nicotine may affect reproductive health, so caution is advised. |
If you are trying to conceive
If you and your partner are trying for a baby, the supportive, evidence based advice is to stop smoking and, ideally, to avoid nicotine altogether, as part of looking after both partners'' health. A GP can offer tailored advice and support, and a free stop smoking service can help you quit. Using this goal as motivation to stop nicotine benefits not just fertility but your health more broadly.
Frequently asked questions
Does vaping affect fertility?
Vaping is less researched than smoking, so it cannot be assumed safe for fertility, and nicotine may have effects. Smoking is clearly harmful.
Is vaping safer than smoking for fertility?
It is far less harmful than smoking generally, but that does not make it proven safe for fertility.
Should I stop vaping if trying to conceive?
The advice is to avoid smoking and ideally nicotine altogether when trying to conceive. Speak to a GP.
Does this apply to both partners?
Yes. Both partners health matters for fertility, so the advice applies to men and women.
Who can help me quit?
A GP and a free local stop smoking service can support you, which benefits fertility and your wider health.
The bottom line
Smoking is clearly harmful to fertility in both men and women, while vaping is newer and less researched, so it cannot be assumed safe, and nicotine may have effects. If you are trying to conceive, the cautious and supportive advice is to avoid smoking and ideally nicotine altogether, and to speak to a GP. Using the goal of a family as motivation to stop nicotine benefits your wider health too, and is a positive step you can take together as a couple, supporting each other through the changes along the way.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. For anything personal or about your own health, a GP or pharmacist can advise, and a free local stop smoking service can help if you want to reduce or stop using nicotine.
- Does vaping affect sperm?
- Can you vape when pregnant?
- Does nicotine cause cancer?
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Looking after fertility as a couple
Fertility is very much a shared matter, so when a couple is trying to conceive, both partners looking after their health gives the best chance. Stopping smoking is one of the clearest, evidence based steps, and avoiding nicotine altogether is the cautious extension of that while the research on vaping continues to develop. Other lifestyle factors, like a balanced diet, healthy weight and limiting alcohol, matter too.
If conceiving is proving difficult, a GP is the right first port of call. They can offer advice, checks and, where needed, referral, and they will often raise smoking and nicotine as part of that conversation, so tackling it early is worthwhile.
Steps that support fertility
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Stop smoking | Clearly harmful to fertility |
| Avoid nicotine | Cautious while evidence develops |
| Balanced diet and healthy weight | Support reproductive health |
| Limit alcohol | Advised when trying to conceive |
| See a GP | Tailored advice and checks |
A few more questions
How long before trying should we make changes?
Earlier is better, as the body and reproductive cells take time to respond. A GP can advise on timing.
Does secondhand vapour affect a partners fertility?
Evidence is limited, but keeping a smoke and vapour free environment is sensible when trying to conceive.
Is NRT better than vaping when trying to conceive?
The aim is to avoid nicotine altogether; a GP can advise on the safest route to quit for your situation.
Key things to remember
- Smoking clearly harms fertility in both partners
- Vaping is less researched and not assumed safe
- Nicotine may affect reproductive health
- When trying to conceive, avoid nicotine
- See a GP for tailored advice
Putting it simply
The honest summary is that smoking is clearly bad for fertility, and vaping, while far less harmful in general, is too new to be called safe for it. When you are actively trying to conceive, that uncertainty is a good reason to avoid nicotine altogether.
Treat trying for a baby as motivation to stop, with a GP and a stop smoking service to support you, and you help your fertility and your wider health at once.
Is it worth quitting even if we conceive quickly?
Yes. Avoiding smoking and nicotine benefits pregnancy and your long term health, not just conception.
Do and don’t
Do
- Stop smoking when trying to conceive
- Avoid nicotine altogether as a cautious step
- Look after both partners health
- See a GP for tailored advice
Try not to
- Assume vaping is proven safe for fertility
- Think only one partner needs to act
- Delay seeking advice if conceiving is difficult
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, or are trying to conceive, please speak to a GP.
Need a hand?
Browse our full library of plain English vaping guides, or get in touch with the team if you have a question we have not answered yet.