Smoking: Smoking may reduce the chances of conceiving for both women and men, while second-hand smoke can also pose reproductive risks, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, in a new knowledge summary, WHO stated that tobacco use is associated with infertility in women and harmful effects on sperm and sexual function in men. A review of studies conducted between 2000 and 2026 revealed that women who currently smoke have a 40% higher risk of infertility compared to non-smokers. Those who had quit smoking may have a 25% lower risk compared to women who continue smoking.

For men, a review of 44 studies involving more than 60,000 individuals linked smoking to reproductive problems, including semen abnormalities, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation issues. Smoking may also reduce the effectiveness of assisted reproduction, including in vitro fertilization, with research suggesting successful outcomes could be roughly halved.

Globally, one in six people of reproductive age encounters infertility at some point in their lifetime, as reported by the UN health agency.