‘Too many’ pregnant women still smoke

17 September 2004

BRUSSELS – Nearly one in five pregnant women in Belgium smoke, it has been revealed.

According to the Flemish anti-cancer league (VLK), this figure means that in Flanders alone 10,000 unborn babies are victims of passive smoking.

Smoking when pregnant can increase the risk of a miscarriage by between 1.5 and 3 times.

It also causes health problems for unborn children, who risk premature birth or being born under weight.

Smoking is also dangerous for newly born children.

Experts say that around half all recorded incidents of cot death can be linked to a smoky environment.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news