|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Free Initiative |
|
Key areas and groups Women Risks men are not exposed to In fact, being female puts women smokers at risks men are not exposed to. They are at increased risks of heart attack and stroke if they are on the pill. "Women should be aware that if they use oral contraceptives, they should not smoke," the report says. In addition, if a mother-to-be smokes, "she runs an increased risk of an unsuccessful pregnancy.’ Her child is likely to be born under-weight, weighing less than 2,500 grams (5lbs 8ozs). Because of carbon monoxide in her blood and because nicotine causes a narrowing of blood vessels, the fetus is deprived of oxygen and nutrition. ‘Smoking reduces fertility," the report also points out, citing a study of some 50,000 women smokers and non—smokers who went off the pill which showed non—smokers were twice as likely to conceive than smokers. Smoking women also reach menopause some two to three years earlier than non—smokers, and they are more susceptible to osteoporosis, a major cause of fractures. "Osteoporosis is associated with the loss of the female hormone, estrogen,’ the report says, "and smokers have lower levels of estrogen than non—smokers." Women who smoke are also three times more likely as non—smokers to develop cancer of the cervix. However, at any age and how ever long they have been smoking, there’s a benefit to be gained if they stop," the report says. The risk of heart attack and stroke is reduced within two years, for example, and a normal birth results from "giving up at any stage of the pregnancy…. though the earlier the better.’
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
