Research spells out parental smoking dangers

Smoking causes widespread damage to children’s health and may
increase the risk of foetal malformations according to a report
from the British Medical Association.

The investigation into the impact of tobacco on reproductive and
child health examines how parental smoking affects children from
conception onwards. Researchers said exposure to passive smoking
was risky during pregnancy and could have long-term and serious
consequences for child health.

The BMA has called for fully paid leave for pregnant employees who
cannot be protected from passive smoking during pregnancy and more
ambitious government targets to reduce overall smoking rates.

In the report, researchers linked passive smoking with cot death,
respiratory infection in children and the development of childhood
asthma. There is also substantial evidence linking it to reduced
foetal growth and premature birth.

The report includes new evidence that smoking may increase the risk
of certain foetal malformations, such as cleft lip and palate.

Women who smoke during pregnancy are three times more likely to
have a low birth weight baby – something that is closely linked to
illness and death in infancy. Smoking during pregnancy also
increases the risk of miscarriage, still-birth and death of the
newborn. Smoking can compromise breastfeeding, with women who smoke
producing less milk, of poorer quality, said researchers.

Exposure to second-hand smoke in childhood is associated with
increased hospitalisation. It is estimated that each year more than
17,000 children under five years old are admitted to UK hospitals
because of respiratory illness caused by exposure to cigarette
smoke. 

– Smoking and Reproductive Life – the Impact of Smoking on
Sexual, Reproductive and Child Health is available at
www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/SmokingReproductiveLife