Smoking during pregnancy makes it harder for the baby to get the oxygen and
nourishment he or she needs and places unnecessary stress on the baby’s heart.
Every puff a pregnant woman takes on a cigarette increases the level of carbon
monoxide in her bloodstream, which replaces oxygen in her blood, so the amount
of oxygen available for the baby through the umbilical cord is reduced.
Nicotine also causes a reduction in the baby’s “practice” breathing movements
in the womb.
When a pregnant woman
smokes, her baby is being exposed to the same high level of poisons as she is.
Once the baby is born, he or she can also suffer when other people smoke around
them. This is known as passive smoking.
It is also harmful if
a father smokes around a mother and may increase the risk of a baby being born
with a lower birth weight. The more the father smokes, the more chance there is
of the unborn baby having poor health outcomes.
Passive Smoking &
Children
Young children have delicate lungs that are more easily affected by the
chemicals in tobacco smoke. If exposed to passive smoking, children are more
likely to develop sensitive airways, and are more susceptible to health
problems.
Some simple steps to
‘Care for your baby’s air’
• Make your home smoke-free
• Place smoke-free stickers in your home, your car, or your baby’s pram
• Provide ashtrays outdoors for visitors or family members who smoke
• Visit smoke free venues and congratulate these venues for being smoke free
• Don’t be afraid to ask people not to smoke near you or your child
• If you are a smoker, think about quitting (call the QUIT Line on 131 848 or
1800 198 024)
• If you don’t feel ready to quit, try to cut down.
Assertive Ways to Say
“Please Don’t Smoke!”
Many people feel uncomfortable when they ask someone to refrain from smoking
around them or their child. The following phrases give a few tips on how to be
assertive in a variety of situations. Whilst they may not always be successful,
it is better to ask, than to remain quiet and expose yourself and your child to
unwanted cigarette smoke.
When you’re pregnant
“Would you mind not smoking for the short time I’m here - I’m sensitive to
smoke and I’m pregnant.”
“Would you mind not
smoking while I’m here, I’m pregnant and am trying hard to avoid exposing my
baby to tobacco smoke as much as possible.”
When visitors arrive
and would like to smoke
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t smoke inside. Our home is smoke-free. I have
some ashtrays in our outdoor area if you would like to smoke outside.”
“Thanks for not smoking
inside. I have some ashtrays in our outdoor area if you would like to smoke
outside.”
Visiting a place
where there are people smoking
“Would you mind not smoking while my baby and I are here. His/her lungs are
extremely sensitive and are still developing.”
Find out more!
If you would like additional information regarding the Newborns Asthma and
Parental Smoking (NAPS) Project, or if you are employed by a hospital or health
service and would like to participate in the project, please visit the NAPS
Project at:
www.smokefreebaby.org.au
Asthma Foundation of WA
Phone 08 9289 3641
Fax 08 9289 3601.
ask@smokefreebaby.org.au