Mums should quit smoking for their children

Mums should think about their wellbeing and quit the nicotine the message from Smokefree South West says.

 

A recent survey of women in the South West region revealed that 23 per cent of them smoke.

 

More worryingly is the 17 per cent of pregnant women who continue to do so despite knowing it is bad for them and their baby.

 

Three out of four children are aware of cigarettes before the age of five whether their parents smoke or not.

 

It is the pressure of peer groups that make young teens most likely to start smoking. 

 

Smokefree South West is encouraging mums to quit cigarettes to help end the addiction spreading from generation to generation.

 

Director of Smokefree South West Fiona Andrews said: “We know that mums worry about their children taking up the harmful habit of smoking, and by smoking themselves they could have a huge influence on their children’s health, both in terms of exposure to second hand smoke and encouraging dangerous habits.

 

“We also know that children with mothers who smoke worry about their parent’s health and many mothers have quit the habit as a direct result of their children asking them to stop.”

 

To find out more about how to quit smoking, call the NHS Smoking helpline on 0800 707 6543 or text NEARBY and your postcode to 88088.