Study: Smokers who quit during pregnancy cut risks

WOMEN who stop smoking in the early stages of pregnancy can cut the risk of having premature or small babies, research found yesterday.

It is well known that smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as miscarriage and still birth, but the findings reveal for the first time the effect of giving up smoking on two potential problems for pregnant women.

According to a study in the British Medical Journal, if expectant mothers kick the habit in the first 15 weeks, they can reduce the risk of small babies or premature births to that of a non-smoker.