EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON CHILDREN

Early day motion 562, tabled 27 March 2000 by Paul Marsden (Labour). Signed by 60 members.

That this House notes with alarm the new study in California on the effects of smoking by pregnant women; expresses concern that children, born to mothers who smoke, suffered decreased lung function which does lasting damage; notes that the Royal College of Physicians has reported that 17,000 under-fives are hospitalised every year because of respiratory illnesses due to parental smoking; further notes that 23 per cent. of women smoke all through pregnancy and a third smoke at some point in pregnancy; is saddened that 93 per cent. of men smokers do not give up smoking when their partners become pregnant; recognises that smoking is addictive and it is better to actively encourage smokers to give up rather than blame them; and congratulates the Government on its new anti-smoking campaign, but urges it to give extra support to pregnant women through smoking cessation services so that the Government can meet its target of reducing smoking during pregnancy from 23 per cent. to 15 per cent. by 2010.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 6, Plaid Cymru 3.