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.

Australia’s Tobacco Tax Debate Intensifies as One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce Warns of Illicit Market Growth
Australia’s Tobacco Tax Debate Intensifies as One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce Warns of Illicit Market Growth
Australian One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has criticised continued tobacco excise increases, arguing that higher taxes are driving consumers toward illicit tobacco markets and benefiting organised crime groups.
Regulations
Jul.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
According to South Korea’s UpKorea, KT&G’s heated tobacco brand Lil reached a 47.4% share of Korea’s heated tobacco stick market in the first quarter of 2026. The company is expanding its next-generation products (NGP) business through product development, technology investment and overseas growth. KT&G reported NGP sales of 890.1 billion won (approximately US$650 million) in 2025, up significantly from 279.3 billion won in 2020. Lil products are now available in 34 markets, while KT&G continues building its technology portfolio through patents and multiple product platforms.
Jul.23
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup stadium rules prohibit smoking, vaping and the use of any tobacco products or electronic smoking devices inside stadiums, including inner and outer perimeters, while electronic smoking devices, tobacco products, lighters and matches are listed as prohibited items, bringing nicotine-product management, venue compliance and cross-border legal differences into focus at a major global sporting event.
Jul.06
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts held a U.S. compliance briefing in Shenzhen to help vaping, heated tobacco and nicotine pouch supply chain companies strengthen PMTA support capabilities. The event focused on supplier documentation, quality systems, traceability, TPMF/TPMP pathways, age verification and customer audit readiness as U.S. compliance expectations increasingly extend deeper into the nicotine supply chain.
Events
Jun.12
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
According to an investigative report by Euromaidan Press, a Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet, Russian businessman Oleg Boyko has been sanctioned by Ukraine, Poland, Australia and Canada, but has not been added to the European Union’s sanctions list. The report alleges that Evapify, a Polish vape distributor with financial and personal ties to Boyko, holds a significant position in Poland’s disposable vape market.
News
Jun.01
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
In this contributed article to 2Firsts, Mumbai-based journalist and harm reduction advocate Samrat Chowdhery examines India’s tobacco transition from the perspective of agriculture, supply chains and regulation. As noted by 2Firsts, India offers a relevant case for understanding how new nicotine technologies may affect not only consumption, trade and policy, but also tobacco farming.
Special Report
May.29