[Angus]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

So the docs say. They also say carrots give you cancer. Doesnt stop people eating them though. Most recently they have decided ecstasy may cure cancer too...should all cancer sufferers go and get off their faces? I believe in everything in moderation..and seriously cant see what harm a couple of ciggies a day will do. Yea if someone proper chainsmoked throughout the pregnancy it would be a problem...but a few wont make a difference at all IMO. If she smoked a lot before getting pregnant, and has cut down, its better than stopping outright, as the latter would send her stress levels through the roof, which also harms babies People are way too judgemental when it comes to smoking. My sis had people stopping her in the street when she was pregnant moaning about it. I bet they wouldnt go into mc donalds and moan on at a pregnant person eating a load of junk food...which is just as bad really...

Four cigarettes in two hours is hardly "a couple of ciggies". At that rate she is on around 20 a day. Hardly moderation is it? If she doesn't care enough about the potential risks to her unborn child or herself, for that matter, then she's hardly a great advert for a caring mother either. And I speak as someone who gave up a 30 a day habit so I know exactly how hard it is to give up. Having my kids gave me the impetus and motivation to kick the habit for good - I certainly never wanted them to see me with a fag in my hand all the time, nor subject them to second hand smoking.

I will be as "judgmental" as I wish on a public forum - or are we not supposed to offer our opinions on stories in the news? It's a far cry from accosting individuals in the street to harrass them - that's just plain rude, unless of course they are infringing my personal space by forcing me to breath in their exhaled smoke. Then I will have my say. Sadly unborn babies and children don't have the option to protest do they?