November is “The Great American Smokeout Month” and the Macon County Public Health Center is supporting a campaign to raise awareness of the immediate health benefits of quitting smoking with pregnant women and mothers with young children.

Stopping smoking is probably the single most effective step a pregnant woman can take to improve her own health and that of her baby, according to the Centers for Disease Control director. If you are pregnant and smoke:

— You double the chances that your child will be born with a low birth weight.

— Your baby will be taking in the toxic carbon monoxide gas from your cigarette smoke.

— 4,000 dangerous chemicals contained in cigarette smoke will go straight to your baby.

— Your baby will have a greater risk of developing respiratory diseases as they grow up and may often be ill.

Each year, according to the American Pediatric Association, exposure to second-hand smoke causes 150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections(pneumonia and bronchitis) in U.S. infants and children younger than 18 months of age. These infections result in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations every year. Chronic cough, wheezing, and phlegm are more frequent in children whose parents smoke. Children exposed to second-hand smoke at home are also more likely to have middle ear disease and reduced lung function. Quitting smoking can drastically reduce these effects in your young child. Quitting takes hard work and a lot of effort, but there’s nothing to lose by quitting smoking and everything to gain. Do it for your health and the health of your child.

The Macon County Public Health Center can offer the necessary help with various smoking cessation materials and tips. During the month of November, pregnant smokers or mothers who smoke can receive these materials and a self-help tobacco cessation packet filled with a self-help guide, tips, and other cessation “goodies.” Tobacco cessation packets will be available through the public health center WIC and Prenatal clinics or if you are interested in receiving a packet, call Melissa at (828)349-2438.

For more information concerning smoking during pregnancy and second-hand smoke visit these web sites: www.smokefreefamilies.org – marchofdimes.org - or call the toll free Quitline (1-877-YES-QUIT).