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Predisposed to Smoke: The Passing of an Addiction

By HERWriter
 
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My mother and grandmother smoked since I was a child. I never liked the smell or breathing in the smoke, so I usually avoided going outside during their smoke breaks. Fortunately, they rarely smoked inside the house, but sometimes they smoked in the car.

The smoke will forever be inside my grandmother's Pathfinder no matter how much she cleans it.

I learned that smoking was bad for the health and never liked it anyway, although a new study suggests that I might be predisposed to smoking behavior and addiction.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that a smoking addiction can be passed from a mother to a child, although smoking isn't inherited. The brief said, "One study finds that, if a woman smokes during pregnancy or in years soon after, the odds rise that her child will become a smoker, too."

Fortunately, I've learned to stay away from most addictive behaviors. The only thing I like to smoke is hookah, and I don't even do that often enough to cause any worry. I've only tried a cigarette once in my life and don't plan to start smoking cigarettes anytime soon. I don't know who to thank for this, since I am obviously not addicted to something that I should or could be. I do think that sometimes when you know your parent is addicted to something, it makes you avoid the addictive object even more, since you have to observe the effects of addiction in that parent your whole life.

For mothers, this study should definitely be taken into consideration. You don't want your child to end up as a smoker! There are too many costs: health and money. Do your child a favor and at least wait until they're much older if you have the urge to smoke. Definitely don't smoke while pregnant - that is a major no-no!

Source: http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/08/20090804a.html

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A new study has found that nicotine patches are safe for both baby and mom, particularly during the third trimester, which is when most smoking-related complications occur.

The small but significant study involved 21 pregnant women who, despite advice from their doctors, continued to smoke at least 15 cigarettes a day into their third trimester. The women were offered a nicotine patch on the first of a four-day hospital stay, and they continued to use the therapy at home for eight consecutive weeks.

The final result: All the babies had normal birth weights. However, all the babies were also born a few weeks premature. The researchers admit the study did not take into account any damage that may have occurred during the first two trimesters when the women were still smoking. Only eight of the 21 women - 38 percent - were smoke-free at the time of delivery.

November 14, 2009 - 7:36am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Woa, the only thing you like to smoke is hookah? Why do you believe it is ok? Hookah is just a way make it easier to get started smoking. If you want to experiment with smoking and take a chance on getting hooked, then don't say the opposite. You need to consider being truthful to yourself.

August 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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