Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County urges expectant mothers who smoke to quit on Mother’s Day.
Coordinator Linda Molenda says 17 percent of pregnant women in Indiana smoke. That’s nearly double the national average. Experts say quitting smoking can reduce the risks of respiratory illness, miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths. Additionally children from families who smoke are twice as likely to pick up the habit.
Molenda says counselors from the Indiana Tobacco Quitline have resources available for expectant mothers and will also stress the need to stay smoke-free after delivery. The free resource is available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
