Exposure to both cannabis and nicotine in the womb is worse than either substance alone

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-05-08 01:00

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Babies exposed to both cannabis and nicotine in the womb are more likely to be born preterm or small for gestational age and are more likely to die soon after birth compared to those exposed to just one of the drugs, according to international research. The team investigated the impact of cannabis and nicotine exposure on babies in a cohort of 3,129,259 pregnant people, 23,007 of whom had used cannabis, 56,811 had used nicotine products and 10,312 had used both. They say the rate of infant death for those exposed to both drugs was 1.2%, compared to 0.7% for cannabis or nicotine alone and 0.3% for those not exposed to either drug. Babies exposed to both drugs were also more likely to be admitted to intensive care after birth than those exposed to just one of the drugs, they say. The researchers say cannabis use during pregnancy is rising, and it is important to be aware of the risks.