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Second Hand Smoke Can Hurt Fetus

October 18, 2005

Trish Kump was a worker at the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor, where she worked as a bartender pouring drinks to the row of people lined up at the bar, some of them holding lit cigarettes.

An air purifier worked to help pull out the smoke from the air but did not succeed in getting all of it.

Kump, who is pregnant, was affected by a story told to her by her pregnant co-worker, a non-smoker, at the Tides. Her co-worker went to her first visit to her obstetrician, and the doctor was convinced that she was a smoker.

Kump began to suspect the health risks that she and her unborn child were exposed to because of the ashtrays and secondhand smoke at her job.

Doctors have made a habit of warning pregnant mothers about the dangers of secondhand smoke, saying that it can increase the risk for miscarriage, sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight and premature birth.

Now, new research suggests that secondhand smoke might be as bad for the health of the fetus as if the mother were smoking a cigarette directly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking during pregnancy is the single most preventable cause of illness and death among mothers and infants.

One of the risks associated with smoking and pregnancy is a higher chance of woman having a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.

Another affect of smoking is that up to 8 percent of all babies do not survive the first week after birth die because of problems caused by their mothers' smoking during pregnancy.

Babies born to smokers are also 1.5 to 3.5 times more likely to have low birth weights, which put them at risk for serious health problems throughout their lives.

Studies have shown that smoking during pregnancy can increase the baby's risk of developing meningitis, asthma, oral cleft, stomach difficulties, sleep problems, and attention, motor control and perception disorders.

The owner had been approached about the possibility of making the restaurant & bar smoke free. Customers were in favor of the change and non-smokers were even not staying if they had to sit in the smoking section.

The owner felt that he should respect his customers as well as his workers, and he ultimately decided that the Tides would become a smoke-free establishment.

At the time of the decision, there were three employees that were pregnant which definitely weighted on his decision.

Research has shown that secondhand smoke can cause genetic mutations that could possibly cause leukemia and lymphoma, which are not present in a baby born to a non-smoker.

The research is based on the examination of umbilical-cord blood samples from newborns. The research took another look at three previous studies that downplayed or ignored the effects of secondhand smoke.

Researchers want the results to alter the mind-sets of pregnant women to be more aware of the risks, as well as motivating smokers to be more conscientious of others, not only pregnant mothers.

The study is coming in riding on the heels of Initiative 901, a statewide ballot measure this November that is aiming to expand smoking bans to all public buildings and vehicles, extending them to restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, skating rinks, cardrooms and minicasinos. The ban also would include areas within 25 feet of doorways, windows and ventilation intakes.

A spokesman supporting I-901, said the dangers of secondhand smoke on pregnancy will be part of the campaign but the overall message is that everyone has a right to breathe clean indoor air.

Like the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant, expectant mothers, and their partners, are now becoming more aware of the message on secondhand smoke. When women visit obstetricians they are leaving with a notebook that tells them what practices to do and what to avoid during their pregnancy.

Secondhand smoke is high on the list.