Parents Should Quit Smoking

It’s a no-brainer that smoking is bad for your health. Go ahead and ask any legitimate medical doctor about it. When I say legitimate I mean one that is licensed and legal, not just any quacks.

Still, most people choose to ignore this fact to continue with their addiction. Others are driven by peer pressure, presuming that it is hip to smoke in public. While some, particularly the poor class, sadly choose to light up a cigarette to divert their attention from hunger.

Every smoker has his (her) reason – everyone will suffer in the end anyway. If it’s not them today, maybe it is just someone else. It’s their money, not yours. If you don’t like smoking, then don’t - find another place to stay.

But what if you have kids? What if you’re pregnant? Just how much will smoking your affect your baby?

As been pointed out in various studies, smoking by parents has been linked to an increased risk in health problems among infants and children.

Sudden Death Infant Syndrome (SIDS). It strikes without warning, and usually in seemingly healthy babies. The lack of probable cause even after thorough forensic autopsy and detailed scene investigation is what makes SIDS so frightening. Smoking along with drinking and drug use during pregnancy, has been tagged as one of the potential risk factors.

Impaired Lung Function (Reduced Lung Capacity). Lung problems that often show up in adulthood may begin even before the person is born. Fetus, from smoking moms, receives less oxygen inhibiting what would have been normal lung growth. Further more, substances (some of which are carried by the blood to the fetus) in cigarette smoke promotes lung inflammation than can eventually lead to its dysfunction. Studies further indicate that low growth rate and weight gain from the moment of birth is associated with impaired lung development.

Frequent Respiratory Illnesses (colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma). Our lungs continue to grow even during our late teens. But this development is impaired once cigarette smoke in introduced in the lungs – destroying the delicate cells within. Contaminated mucus forms and gets trapped in the lungs reducing its ability to pass oxygen (and other nutrients) to our body.

The list of smoking complications described here is just partial. It even extends to behavioral problems such as the tendency of your child to smoke as well (and at a much younger age too).

So, if you’re a parent, your desire to continue smoking “because it has been your habit” is simply inexcusable.

And if you’re pregnant – by all means DON’T SMOKE!

You should quit smoking. Though, as with any other addiction, it’s not going to be easy – your mind and body will be against you. But if you’re determined for the sake of your baby, you can win over it. Seek support from friends and family.

By quitting, you not only give your baby a healthier life but a healthier parent as well.