Smoking and Tobacco Use: Ill Effects on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Adolescent (RMNCHA) Program—A Review

Abstract

Most people are aware that tobacco causes cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and major health problems, leading to high morbidity and mortality; however, many are not aware of its ill effects on the reproductive health of men and women as well as their children. This article has summarized the current research evidence from literature search to date, including prevalence of tobacco use, types of tobacco use, its effects on male and female fertility, pregnancy and their progeny in utero, neonatal period, childhood, adolescence, and subsequent well-being, with both active and passive smoking and smokeless tobacco use. Although antitobacco campaigns show horrifying visuals linked to tobacco use, not much progress has been made in controlling its use. Publicizing these harmful effects on pregnancy and progeny, making public aware, screening women coming for infertility or antenatal care on any form of tobacco use, and helping them to quit tobacco use may help the National Tobacco Control program, as parents are more concerned if they learn that there is harm to their fertility and progeny. Indirectly, it will help to improve reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health.

Keywords

• smoking
• reproductive health
• fertility
• maternal health
• perinatal outcome
• miscarriage
• smokeless tobacco use
• pregnancy
• passive smoking