Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that tobacco use can harm fertility in both women and men. Infertility, defined by WHO as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex, affects one in six people globally. WHO's report reviews extensive evidence linking tobacco smoking to infertility in women and impaired sperm quality and sexual function in men.
According to WHO, men who smoke are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems, absence of sperm in semen, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm shape. The agency also stressed that infertility is not solely a women’s issue. Second-hand smoke may increase infertility risks for women by lowering their monthly chance of conceiving.
The report notes that women who quit smoking may have a 25% lower risk of infertility than those who continue, showing potential benefits of cessation. Additionally, smoking can reduce the success rates of fertility treatments, including assisted reproduction methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Studies suggest smoking could roughly halve the chances of live births through such treatments.
WHO also states that waterpipe tobacco use, such as hookah or shisha, may negatively affect male fertility, though data on e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and newer tobacco products remain limited and require further study.
The publication recommends healthcare providers counsel individuals planning pregnancies to stop smoking to improve overall and reproductive health, considering the demonstrated risks of tobacco use and second-hand smoke on fertility outcomes.