Today, about 12 percent of women worldwide smoke cigarettes. In developed countries, about 24 percent of women smoke, and in developing countries, about 7 percent smoke. In the U.S., about 23 percent of women smoke, many of them while they are pregnant. This is a major public health problem because smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems in newborns.
Smoking also harms a woman's health.
Statistics from the United States are compelling. Currently, about 13 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. smoke during pregnancy. If all pregnant women in the U.S. stopped smoking, there would be an estimated 10 percent reduction in infant deaths, according to the U.S. Public Health Service. Cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals. It is not known for certain which of these chemicals are harmful to a developing fetus.