Smoking

Key Concepts/Main Points.

• Smoking while pregnant is dangerous for the mothers and babies.
• Know the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
• Understand the benefits of quitting and know how to seek help to quit smoking.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Have you ever smoked? Have you smoked even one puff in the past 30 days?
• How many people in your house smoke?
• Do you work in a smoke–free environment?
• How many of your friends that you see regularly smoke?

Smoking

Smoking causes lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure and increased risk of lung cancer. It is a particularly dangerous habit for women, as it increases risks for delay in conceiving, infertility, diabetes, stillbirth, low birth weight and premature births.

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that a non–smoker inhales when in the presence of a person who is smoking. Nonsmokers who are married to smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer, and children whose parent(s) smoke suffer higher rates of bronchitis and other lung infections than people who live in smoke–free homes.

Instructor Tips:
Section Goal: Help the participants understand the problems caused by smoking, the benefits of quitting and strategies for quitting.