Smoking in pregnancy linked to cot death risk

01 Oct 2008

Expectant mums who smoke during their pregnancy increase their child's risk of cot death or respiratory conditions, experts warn.

According to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, women who continue to smoke while pregnant "are much more likely to have a child who dies from cot death or develops respiratory disease and other problems in childhood".

"Smoking increases the carbon monoxide levels in the blood and therefore deprives the baby of oxygen plus there are toxic substances … in tobacco smoke which can damage the baby," a spokesperson explained.

The NHS recently reported that 18,341 pregnant women set a quit date through the services, with 9,574 successfully quitting at the four week follow-up - a success rate of 52%.

Figures show that smoking is highest among 20 to 24-year-olds, with 29% of women being smokers.

Around 10 million adults currently smoke cigarettes in Great Britain.

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