Crib deaths have been found to happen more often in babies whose mother smoked. Mothers who continue to smoke or start smoking again after having a baby continue to pose risks to their babies. These children may also be slower learners in school. If the mother breast-feeds, her baby will get nicotine through her milk. Women who are smoking now and are age 35 or older are 10 times more likely to die from emphysema or chronic bronchitis than non-smoking females.
Lung cancer is now the leading cause of death from cancer among women.
As more women start to smoke, the rate of their deaths from lung diseases is fast becoming close to the rate of death from lung diseases in men. Americans are starting to smoke at an earlier age, especially young girls. If you are a woman and smoke, now is an excellent time to start breathing clean air by not smoking. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a smoking cessation or quit-smoking program. All Rights Reserved.