Smokers still putting their babies at risk

UNBORN babies across the Lothians are still being put at risk by smoking mums, a study has found.

The British Medical Association in Edinburgh found that even though levels of smoking in pregnant women had fallen, around 20 per cent continued to smoke while pregnant.

The organisation said it wanted to use the upcoming National No Smoking Day to urge expectant mothers not to smoke, reminding them that risks posed to the baby include increased chance of cot death and premature birth.

Deputy chairwoman of the BMA in Scotland Dr Sally Winning said: "Around one in five women smoke during pregnancy and, although this is an improvement on previous years, it reflects the lack of knowledge among Scots about the health risks of smoking, not only to themselves, but to their children.

"Smoking while pregnant can have long-term effects on the health of a baby. Maternal smoking in pregnancy is a cause of low birth weight in babies and has been linked to cot death."