Research suggests that implementing measures such as the establishment of smoke-free environments can significantly reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Recently, Professor Li Zhi-hui’s team from the Vanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University released a study on “The Impact of Tobacco on High-Quality Population Development in China,” which found that tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure have serious adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The research indicates that implementing comprehensive smoke-free regulations, creating smoke-free environments, and significantly increasing tobacco taxes can effectively reduce tobacco prevalence and secondhand smoke exposure, thereby increasing the number of births, reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes, and promoting high-quality population development.
Professor Li’s team conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, utilizing data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to explore the relationship between tobacco use and exposure and the risk of infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. They analyzed the effects of tobacco use and exposure among married women of reproductive age and their spouses on the quantity and quality of births in that demographic.
The study found that among married women aged 20 to 49 and their spouses in China, active smoking resulted in over 9.7 million cases of unreleased births, equivalent to 1.08 times the total number of births in 2023; secondhand smoke exposure led to more than 10.85 million unreleased births, equivalent to 1.21 times the total number of births in 2023. Tobacco use and exposure also resulted in millions of cases of low birth weight, preterm birth, congenital heart disease, and gestational diabetes.
Additionally, the study noted that a 20% increase in tobacco prices could result in 1.3 million more births and prevent tens of thousands of cases of low birth weight, preterm births, congenital heart disease, and gestational diabetes. The research indicates that if smoking rates decrease to the target set by the “Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline,” which aims to reduce the smoking rate among those aged 15 and above to 20%, it could lead to an additional 2.51 million newborns and prevent over 1.56 million adverse pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes.
“Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure’s adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy outcomes will create significant social, economic, and health problems, thereby hindering the process of high-quality population development,” Li Zhi-hui stated.
The study emphasizes the importance of tobacco control policies in improving reproductive quality and population health in China. It suggests that China should implement stronger tobacco control measures, including significantly increasing tobacco taxes and enforcing comprehensive smoke-free policies to protect maternal and infant health. Furthermore, the study recommends integrating tobacco control efforts into policies that promote a pro-fertility-friendly society, reducing smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure in key populations, and improving the overall health level of the population. By implementing effective tobacco control measures, China can not only enhance the quality and quantity of births but also significantly reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes, contributing to the goal of high-quality population development.
Cheng Feng, Assistant Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health and Deputy Director of the Tsinghua University Healthy China Research Institute, stated, “High-quality population development is the cornerstone of national development. The health issues caused by tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure not only affect family happiness but also have a significant impact on China’s population health reserves and social productivity. Tobacco control is not only a public health issue but also a transformative social and cultural endeavor. By establishing smoke-free environments, we can create a social diffusion effect of healthy behaviors. Healthy lifestyles are a crucial characteristic of high-quality population development, and tobacco control can foster a positive health legacy across generations, laying the foundation for improving overall health levels.”
