Nicotine Exposure in Pregnancy Affects Adult Sleep Patterns: Study

Aug.29.2022
Nicotine Exposure in Pregnancy Affects Adult Sleep Patterns: Study
Prenatal nicotine exposure affects sleep patterns in adult mice, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.

The study, titled "Persistent Sleep Alterations and Decreased Hippocampal Corticosteroid Receptor Expression in Adult Mice after Early Nicotine or Tizanidine Exposure," was published in Scientific Reports. Its goal was to determine the effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine and its byproducts on adults.


A research team used regular secondhand smoke concentrations to expose pregnant mice to nicotine and found that these same mice had a significant decrease in sleep during the transition between rest and activity phases in adulthood.


Giovanna Zoccoli, a professor of biomedical and neuro-motor science at the University of Bologna in Italy, said: "The results of this study show that adult sleep may be influenced by early-life events. According to our data, controlling environmental factors during pregnancy is not only important for women's health, but also crucial for their offspring.


The study also found that this prenatal exposure to smoke altered the expression and balance of hippocampal cortical steroid receptors. Zoccoli added, "Our data show that changes in sleep and relaxation regulation of cortical steroids in the hippocampus are concurrent." "These findings suggest that nicotine consumption during pregnancy is a stressor that can affect the hippocampal development of offspring and the sleep patterns of adult offspring.


Is there a detrimental impact of electronic cigarettes on the heart?


A recent study exposed mouse heart cells to vapor from a culture dish, concluding that e-cigarettes have a damaging effect on the heart. Award-winning science writer, bestselling author, and chairman of the American Council on Science and Health, Hank Campbell, explained why these findings are flawed.


A study report titled "In vitro and in vivo cardiac toxicity of a flavoring electronic nicotine delivery system" found that inhaling vanillin in mice increased sympathetic dominance in heart rate variability measurements. However, a new paper claims that using e-cigarettes instead of traditional cigarettes puts people's hearts at risk, but their study did not show this. Instead, they mixed chemicals in a petri dish with heart cells and used mice. Both are good exploratory experiments, but scientifically, they are invalid in supporting the conclusions drawn by the authors in the press release, according to Campbell.


In addition, Campbell explained that in the study, HL-1 cells from mice and later human cells produced in the laboratory were submerged in certain chemicals, but these so-called chemicals found in e-cigarettes are ones that humans have not been exposed to in the last 40,000 years.


Statement


This article is compiled based on information from a third-party source, and is intended for industry-related communication and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the truthfulness or accuracy of the article's contents. The translation of this article is solely for the purpose of industry exchange and research.


Due to limited translation ability, the compiled article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on all domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and international issues and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author, and if there is any infringement, please contact us to have it removed.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
China’s vape-related exports reached $1.047 billion in July 2026, up 16.5% year on year and the highest monthly total of the year. Growth was heavily concentrated in the U.S., where exports jumped 53.5% to $404 million and accounted for 94.9% of the overall increase. Exports to all other markets rose just 1.2%. By category, nicotine-containing non-combustible products—primarily vapes—under HS24041200 rose 24.7% and generated 95.5% of the total increase. Vape-device exports under HS85434000 fell 0.4%, while other nicotine-substitute products under HS24041990 grew 88.9% but remained comparatively small.
DATA
Aug.24
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
IQOS opened its first global flagship, IQOS Flagship Ginza, in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, replacing the former IQOS Store Ginza after nearly a decade of operation. The new location expands conventional product retail into member lounges, digital experiences, art installations and brand programming. IQOS also launched a Ginza-exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME set limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, priced at JPY11,980, or about US$77. PMI Sales Strategy Consultant Yuji M. later said on LinkedIn that more than 500 people had lined up from the night before the opening.
Sep.07
UK Vape Tax Countdown: Retailer Vape HQ Estimates 100ml E-liquid Prices Could Rise From £12.99 to £39.39, While Pod Kits Increase Less Than 10%
UK Vape Tax Countdown: Retailer Vape HQ Estimates 100ml E-liquid Prices Could Rise From £12.99 to £39.39, While Pod Kits Increase Less Than 10%
The UK’s Vaping Products Duty (VPD), scheduled to take effect in October 2026, is prompting retailers to assess how different vape categories may be affected. UK retailer Vape HQ has estimated potential price changes under the new volume-based tax system, showing that 100ml shortfill e-liquids could see prices rise from around £12.99 to £39.39, a 203% increase, while 2ml prefilled pod vape kits could rise from £5.99 to £6.52, an increase of about 9%. The estimates highlight how a volume-based tax structure creates uneven cost impacts across product categories.
Aug.19
Special Report | China Opens Draft Mandatory Heated Cigarette Standard for Comment, Multiple Heating Technologies Remain in Scope
Special Report | China Opens Draft Mandatory Heated Cigarette Standard for Comment, Multiple Heating Technologies Remain in Scope
China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) has released a draft mandatory national standard for heated cigarettes, setting out detailed requirements for tobacco sticks, heating devices and aerosols. The proposal treats the stick and device as parts of the same product system, focuses on minimum safety and quality requirements, and leaves several heating architectures within scope.
Special Report
Jul.29
PMI Q2 Call: ZYN Growth, IQOS Pricing and a Diverging Global Tobacco Market
PMI Q2 Call: ZYN Growth, IQOS Pricing and a Diverging Global Tobacco Market
Philip Morris International’s second-quarter earnings call offered new detail on its smoke-free strategy. Management said it would increase U.S. investment behind nicotine pouch brand ZYN, keep IQOS focused on volume before stronger pricing, and use SENTIA, DELIA, LEVIA, VEEV and ZYN to manage tax and regulatory pressure across Japan and Europe. Analysts from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS and other firms also pressed PMI on profitability, market share, cigarette resilience and the durability of its global transformation over coming quarters.
Jul.24
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
A new Indiana law restricting the sale of foreign-made vape products has taken effect, requiring retailers to adjust inventory and sourcing practices. According to The Sun, WDRB and other reports, some local vape shops are reviewing product origins and supplier information to comply with the new requirements. The measure represents a broader shift in U.S. vape regulation, with oversight expanding beyond product authorization and sales rules toward manufacturing origin and supply-chain management.
Jul.24