Now, don't get me wrong. I believe in the right to freedom, and people I believe have the right to do what they want provided they take responsibility for it and are not hurting others. Only those close to an individual should be able to tell them what to do.
However, I believe there is one exception, and that is pregnant mums who smoke. So what did I see that got my back up? I was at the hospital the other day when I saw a couple of pregnant women come and sit at the hospital coffee shop for a drink (nothing wrong with that). But then they both lit up! And to top it all off they gave all disgusted onlookers a stare as if to say "what are you looking at?" and "What right have you got to tell me what I can and can't do?"
Well I'll tell you. You can do to yourself whatever you like. But it isn't just about you. You are potentially exposing your child to a wide range of diseases that could present themselves at any stage of the childs life, you could even kill them. To top it off the welcome to the world present you give your child is a nicotine addiction that the poor baby spends the first week of its life fighting (something you were unwilling to do).
So why am I so passionate about this? My mother smoked during pregnancy and I wish someone had made her stop. Let me clarify that I don't blame her at all. Back then they simply didn't know the harm it could potentially cause, but now they do, so if you are going to be a mum and you smoke, quit.
Until next time, stay well:)
