It has long been known mothers should not smoke during pregnancy.
Now, according to work reported on in the journal Environmental Health Perspective, in December 2012, the possibility of childhood overweight and obesity give mothers yet another good reason not to smoke.
The study, conducted by Kelly Government Solutions andthe National Institutes of Health, in North Carolina, USA, included 101 smaller studies, 83 of them in humans.
These studies showed an association between smoking during pregnancy, and the development of overweight and obese children.
It has been pointed out though, a cause and effect relationship cannot be proven at this time but it is probable.
Aside from the possibility of causing overweight or obesity in children, women have many good reasons not to smoke during pregnancy (or any other time).
Smoking during pregnancy exposes the unborn baby to:

• nicotine,
• carbon monoxide,
• tar, and other
• dangerous chemicals.
  

It cuts down on the amount of oxygen being transported to the baby, slowing down its growth and possibly interfering with the growth and development of his or her brain.
Birth defects such as:

• cleft lip or palate,
• prematurity,
• still birth, and
• low birthweight

have all been associated with smoking.
Problems with the placentas have also been associated with smoking.
Implantation in the Fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus, implantation over the birth canal so that it is covered, andbreaking away from the uterus before birth have all been seen.
Babies who are exposed to smoke after they are born are in more danger from dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than infants who are not exposed.
Babies exposed to smokers are also at a higher risk fordeveloping:

• asthma,
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• ear infections, and
• slow lung growth.
  

Children who do not see their parents smoking have a good role model to follow.
Mothers who want to see their children and grandchildren grow up can help their chances of growing old by not smoking.
That will lower the risk of:

• coronary artery disease,
• lung and cervical cancer,
• pneumonia,
• bronchitis, and
• emphysema.
  

Non-smokers do not have to bother going outside to find a place to smoke and their hair, breath, and clothes do not have the odor of stale cigarette smoke, and their fingers are never stained with nicotine.
Their furniture and homes are safe from smoking-related fires.
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are epidemic among children as well as adults.
Not smoking during pregnancy could possibly help your child not to be a statistic, and just think of all the other benefits you will get from not smoking.
If you don't smoke, don't start.
If you are pregnant or thinking of pregnancy, there is no better time to quit.