Planning for parenthood? Could tobacco be getting in the way?

Couples preparing for pregnancy may adjust their diets, track fertile days and take vitamins. Yet cigarettes, vaping products or a container of zarda in the home can quietly undermine those efforts.

Tobacco’s effects on fertility receive less attention than its links to cancer, heart disease and breathing problems. Smoking can make it harder for women to become pregnant by affecting eggs and disrupting reproductive processes. It can also increase pregnancy complications and loss. For men, smoking may lower sperm count, slow sperm movement, reduce sperm quality and contribute to erectile problems.

Infertility, the article stresses, is not only a women’s issue. Cigarettes are also not the only concern. Bidis, waterpipes, vaping products and smokeless tobacco expose the body to nicotine and other harmful substances. In Bangladesh, zarda and gul may be seen as more acceptable or less dangerous because people do not smoke them. But smokeless does not mean harmless, and vaping should not be treated as a safe option for couples trying to conceive.

Second-hand smoke creates another risk for partners, children and other family members. Smoking near a window, under a kitchen fan or in another room does not make an indoor space completely safe. The clearest rule is to keep homes and cars smoke-free. The World Health Organization is due to spotlight tobacco and infertility on 9 September, including new tobacco products and second-hand exposure.

Quitting can be difficult because nicotine creates dependence, and repeated attempts do not signal weakness. A doctor’s support, a clear quit date and encouragement from family can help. Couples seeking fertility advice should mention cigarettes, vaping, zarda, gul and regular exposure to someone else’s smoke. Removing tobacco cannot guarantee pregnancy, but it can help protect conception, pregnancy and the health of a future child.