Call for mums to quit smoking

NEARLY a quarter of women in East Devon smoke - and following Mothers Day a new anti-smoking organisation is calling on mums to set a good example.

NEARLY a quarter of women in East Devon smoke - and following Mothers Day a new anti-smoking organisation is calling on mums to set a good example.

Latest statistics show that 23 per cent of women smoke and Smokefree South West is calling on mums to start thinking about their own health.

They want them to take the first steps to becoming smokefree ambassadors with the help of the NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Almost 17 per cent of pregnant women in the district smoke with a third of that figure smoking before or during pregnancy.

Smokefree South West say children are influenced or become aware of cigarettes from peers in their early teens - while research suggests that children become aware of cigarettes at a much younger age.

Fiona Andrews, Director of Smokefree South West said:

"By smoking themselves they could have a huge influence on their children's health, both in terms of exposure to second hand smoke and encouraging dangerous habits.

"We also know that children with mothers who smoke worry about their parent's health and many mothers have quit the habit as a direct result of their children asking them to stop."

To find out more about how to quit smoking, call the NHS Smoking helpline on 0800 707 6543 or text NEARBY and your postcode to 88088.