In the U.S. alone it is estimated that 16 percent of pregnant women smoke while they are pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy is directly for hundreds of infant deaths annually.

While the mother smokes, unborn babies are exposed to nicotine and when born they can suffer from withdrawals consistent with other infants reported to be exposed to other drugs. Not a way a child should have to enter this world. Infants are born with low birth weights, they display signs of stress, are at risk from sudden infant death syndrome, not to mention other learning and behavioral problems.

Studies have also shown that mothers who smoke a pack a day or more during pregnancy nearly doubles the risk that their child will become addicted to tobacco if they try smoking.