ASH Australia media release                                        May 27, 2005

Smoking while pregnant stunts baby airways

But a quarter of pregnant women still smoke

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Smoking during pregnancy stunts foetal airways, making babies more vulnerable to breathing problems, says new research.

Health groups say the research emphasises the need to further reduce smoking rates from around 19% of the population to less than 10% before the end of the decade.

The study*, by the UK Institute of Child Health and two UK hospitals, found airflow through the breathing tubes was reduced by an average 20% in babies born to mothers who smoke. And the effect remained throughout the first eighteen months of the baby’s life.

Says Anne Jones, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia:
”This adds to the large body of research showing parental smoking has a serious impact on the health of babies.

“Babies of smoking mothers are more likely to be smaller, are 3-4 times more likely to die of SIDS, and are more likely to suffer respiratory disorders and intellectual impairment.

“Yet we still have very high smoking rates among pregnant women, not much lower than the average female rates. More than a quarter of women in their twenties smoke regularly, and few of them quit when pregnant.

“This shows the severity of addiction in many women - and how we are not getting through to women that quitting smoking is one of the best decisions they could make for themselves, their fertility and their children.

“We need more anti-smoking messages in the media to counter the positive messages that young people are still exposed to in films and other below-the-line marketing tactics.

“Tobacco companies have targeted women and young people for decades  – through association with fashion events, through trendy and colourful packet design, fruit flavoured brands** and by prominent display of tobacco products in shops.”

Health groups recently welcomed new federal government funding in the May 2005 budget for anti-smoking campaigns aimed at young people and parents as well as improved services for pregnant women - but warned that smoking rates could creep back up without sustained funding and comprehensive strategies.  

* See  www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/pressoffice/pressrelease_00337

** Call for ban on fruit-flavoured cigs

Comment:   Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia  ph. (02) 9334-1876  m. 0417-227-879

Media inquiries:     Stafford Sanders   ph. (02) 9334-1823   m. 0412-070-194

Page last updated 27/5/05