If you smoke, your baby’s body and brain will weigh less at birth and its chances of mental retardation and birth defects, such as cleft palate and harelip, will be higher. There is strong evidence of development problems later in life, and your child’s height may be affected. Lower IQ scores, reading disability, behavioural problems and hyperactivity are all seen in the children of smoking mothers. Nothing can excuse a woman who allows such life-threatening things to happen to her unborn child!
Babies have small lungs and very small airways, so smoke-filled air impairs their breathing. Babies and young children breathe much faster than adults, meaning they inhale more air – and more pollution – in comparison to their body weight. Infants whose parents smoke at home have a higher rate of pneumonia and bronchitis. Many researchers have found that the dreaded sudden infant death syndrome is passive smoking-related. Zinc, which is vital for healthy growth in babies, becomes deficient in babies who are forced to breathe tobacco smoke. The breast milk of smoking women contains significant amounts of nicotine.
If we lived in a decent society, people who smoke in front of babies and children would be jailed for assault with a deadly weapon. And kept there until they kicked their murderous habit. Years ago the Surgeon General of the United States declared smoking the most important health issue of our time and urged non-smokers to avoid passive
smoking. That is easier said than done. But if you don’t, you’ll have lots more illnesses, and you’ll die prematurely. So, if you’re exposed to it in the workplace, do your best to educate your boss and your fellow workers. If your friends smoke, set up new ground rules or replace your friends. And if your spouse smokes, convert him or her, or run screaming to a divorce lawyer.