Passive smoking can cause infertility problems in women

Passive smoking is also called as second-hand smoking, is inhaling of tobacco smoke by persons who are in the vicinity of an actual or active smoker. A new study conducted at the Wilmot Cancer Center in US has revealed that the women exposed to second hand smoke are 68 per cent more likely to face fertility problems and can also suffer miscarriage.

The study was carried out in 4,800 non-smoking women but exposed to second hand smoke. Among all, four out of five women reported exposure to second hand smoking during their lifetime. After examining, the researchers noticed that those who were exposed to second hand smoking six or more hours per day as children and adults were at a greater risk of having difficulty in getting pregnant and suffering one or more miscarriages. The risk could be much higher in the case of active female smokers

Second hand smoking is also dangerous for health. According to article 8 of the FCTC, it provides Guidelines on the Protection from Exposure to Second-hand Smoke, which states that the effective measures to provide protection from exposure to tobacco smoke require the total elimination of smoking and tobacco smoke in a particular space or environment in order to create a 100 per cent smoke-free environment.

Experts advise pregnant women to stay away from direct and second hand smoking, as it causes bad effects on the baby.

By Lizitha