Why 1 out of 10 French women still smoke during pregnancy: a health scandal unfolds

Smoking during pregnancy remains a controversial and urgent health care, especially in France, where the latter surveys reveal that a considerable number of women continue to smoke while expecting. Despite the awareness of risks that smokes for both the mother and the newborn, 1 out of 10 French women still light up during pregnancy. This alarming statistics requires a deeper investigation why smoking is not enough and what can be done to resolve this issue.

Data behind numbers

The recent public health report emphasizes that 24% of mothers of children under five years of age who take cigarette smoking when they first learned that they were pregnant. Encouraging, 45% of these women quit smoking after their pregnancy was found. However, 51% only reduced smoking, and 4% did not change alarm.

For further reading on this topic, explore the comprehensive report from Public Health France and expert insights from Euronews Health:

Public Health France Smoking Report

Euronews Health Expert Opinions

This raises the question: why do some women, even when they are fully aware of the danger, try to quit smoking during such a critical period?

Risks of smoking during pregnancy

Smoking risks during pregnancy are well recorded. Baby -born babies face higher risks of premature birth, low weight at birth, respiratory problems and sudden death (AIDS) syndrome. Even easy smoking - only one or two cigarettes a day - can significantly increase these risks. According to Euronews health care, tobacco use during pregnancy "is associated with serious complications, including stillbirths and developmental delays."

Why French women try to quit

For many women, smoking is not just a habit, but a mechanism for overcoming, which makes the refusal incredibly complicated. Dr. Philip Kombo, a French health expert, suggests that health care interference was insufficient to solve unique problems faced by pregnant women. "There is not enough system support for these women when it comes to smoking, especially before they even consider pregnancy," Bokot Health said.

Combot observations are supported by additional data showing that 7% of women with young children have consumed alcohol during the last pregnancy, which indicates that the use of substances during pregnancy may not be as rare as you can hope. Alcohol and tobacco drink often go hand in hand, but combine notes that many women can easily give up alcohol than smoking are probably because of nicotine addiction.

What do you need to change?

France has succeeded in improving health results for pregnant women, but still has to do work. Public health campaigns should focus not only on informing women about risks, but on providing comprehensive support that meets their psychological and social needs. Nicotine replacement therapy and counseling should be more accessible and focused on women who are planning pregnancy or pregnant women.

The French Health Agency reported some improvement in comparison with previous years, and more women have quit smoking after studying their pregnancy. However, nicotine addiction continues to create a significant obstacle. Social adoption of smoking in France, despite global efforts to stigmatize habit, also contributes to this constant issue.

Personal opinion

In my opinion, it is obvious that more active measures are needed. Instead of focusing solely on education, France should invest in early intervention programs aimed at helping women to quit smoking before they became pregnant. This can be achieved through comprehensive health strategies that provide support, counseling and available medical services.

The social perspective of smoking in France should also change, which makes it easier for women to seek help without feeling stigmatized. Pregnant women should not be chosen between their health and social pressure, and it is important that health care services are equipped to support them during this difficult period.

The fact that 1 out of 10 French women continues to smoke during pregnancy reveals significant gaps in health care efforts. It is not just a question of personal choice, but a reflection of how it supports society - or does not support - to respond to women. Reduction of smoking during pregnancy requires systemic changes, both in the field of health care and in publics

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