Buzz Burrell: General Practitioners Aotearoa Chair on the study showing vaping could be a factor in Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Aug 11, 2026 · 3m · transcript

A new study finds vaping by mothers could be a factor in the deaths of some babies.

Otago and Auckland University researchers say in 66 cases of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, three-quarters of mothers had smoked and/or vaped.

In half of cases involving bed sharing, mothers had vaped.

General Practitioners Aotearoa Chair Buzz Burrell told Ryan Bridge vaping would impact the baby the same way smoking does.

He says vapes contain more than just nicotine, and that already does crazy things during pregnancy.

The study says it's not proof, but caution should be taken while evidence develops…