Despite all the over-whelming evidence in countless TV programmes, newspapers, magazines, NHS leaflets, blogs, websites etc about the damage that smoking can do to unborn children, there is still a significant percentage of the population (an estimated 20% of pregnant women smoke during pregnancy) who are happy to breathe in around 4000 very harmful poisons which the baby has no option but to absorb.
This is a unique human being with their whole life ahead, and yet adults who will 'care' for them and equip them to make their own way in life are making a decision to inflict something upon them that they have no say in. Of course, some babies are born healthy with no ill-effects but many are not. Being underweight is only one visible issue, but how can we possibly know what real long-term damage is being done to this little human being while all their vital organs are forming?
It must surely be one of the most selfish and cruel examples of child abuse. How many of the same mothers would actively put a lit cigarette in the mouth of a baby many times a day and force it to inhale? I suspect most would be horrified at such a suggestion, yet whilst in the womb, the baby is effectively doing just that.
Education is always the best way, starting in schools, but perhaps it needs to more hard-hitting and graphic if the message is to get through – along with genuine, positive support for mothers-to-be to help them give up the addiction, or even better, not take it up in the first place!
I’d welcome ANY ideas from readers for additions to my website if you think I could help with this cause.
Thanks!
Margaret
