Smoking and Infertility: WHO Says Quitting Can Turn the Tide

When you light up a cigarette, the damage isn’t limited to lungs or heart – it seeps into the very ability to conceive. The World Health Organization’s latest report pulls together decades of research and delivers a clear, if unsettling, message: tobacco smoking makes it harder for both women and men to start families.

For women, the numbers are stark. A systematic review that covered studies from 2000 to 2026 shows that current smokers are about 40% more likely to experience infertility than non‑smokers. The risk isn’t just theoretical; it translates into more cycles of trying, more medical appointments, and often, a tougher emotional journey.

But there’s a silver lining. Women who have quit smoking enjoy roughly a 25% lower risk of infertility compared with those who keep puffing away. In plain language, putting down the cigarette can make a meaningful difference – even if you’ve smoked for years.

Men aren’t exempt. A review of 44 studies involving over 60,000 men linked smoking to a host of reproductive problems – reduced sperm count, poorer motility, and even sexual dysfunction. The verdict? Smoke‑filled lungs tend to mean poorer semen quality.

The WHO also warned that second‑hand smoke is not harmless. Partners, even those who never light up themselves, can see their fertility odds dip when constantly exposed to tobacco smoke.

What about newer nicotine products? The report says evidence is still emerging for e‑cigarettes, waterpipes and smokeless tobacco. While the strongest data still point to traditional cigarettes, the organization urges caution and calls for more research.

Globally, about one in six people of reproductive age will confront infertility at some point. Given that definition – failure to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex – the WHO’s findings add urgency to public‑health campaigns that promote quitting not just for heart health, but for the chance of a future family.

If you’re a smoker, the takeaway is simple: stopping now could shave off a quarter of your infertility risk. If you’re a partner, supporting cessation could protect both of you. And if you’re a health professional, the data give you another compelling reason to ask about tobacco use during reproductive health visits.