Smoking is the single most important modifiable cause of poor pregnancy outcome in the United States. Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to cause many adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, placental separation, low birth weight and increased perinatal mortality.

Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery by one to two times. Smoking during pregnancy accounts for 20 percent of low birth weight deliveries, 8 percent of preterm births and 5 percent of all perinatal deaths. A reduction in smoking during pregnancy could save $21 million in direct medical costs by decreasing low birth weight and prematurity.

Infants and children are at a health risk due to exposure to second hand smoke. Children exposed to second hand smoke are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and ear infections. There also is developmental risk for children exposed to second hand smoke, which can include behavioral problems, lower achievement test scores and lower intelligence test scores.

The annual costs of smoking in the United States are estimated to be $4.6 billion. Loss of life costs is estimated to be $8.2 billion.

If you would like to learn about how to quit smoking, call the Chest Service at 865.305.6955 or visit www.smokefree.gov.