This is why the latest statistics on smoking during pregnancy are more than a little surprising and concerning.
According to recent research carried out in Scotland, over a quarter of women in the city of Dundee have smoked while pregnant with their children.
In a study based on information gathered between the years 2010 and 2012, it was shown that 26.6 percent of women in the city smoked while expecting.
Health consultant Andrew Radley commented on the study findings, saying that the effects of smoking on children extend far beyond their development in the womb.
“We all know that smoking while pregnant harms the baby in the womb, but it can also harm the child after birth – respiratory problems and lower concentration levels are more common in children whose parents smoke,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of preventing the habit in children, as this regularly leads to a lifelong addiction.
“Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health, and people who smoke usually start around the age of 13…So it’s crucial to encourage young people to make the right choices,” he added.
