How many women smoke?

Before the 1900’s, few women in western society smoked. As the 20th century progressed, more and more women begin to smoke.

• By 1945, 26% of women smoked

• In 1976 that number had increased to 33%

• By 2001 the number fell to 18% 

Why do women smoke? 

The tobacco industry has marketed smoking as a fashionable and sophisticated thing for women to do. The fashion and media industries also traditionally display many images of stylish women smoking

As more women started working and earning an income, they chose to spend that income on cigarettes

What health problems can women smokers suffer?

Women who smoke are at increased risk of a number of gender-specific in addition to the range of other adverse health effects that all smokers are at risk of.

These gender-specific problems include:

• Cancer of the cervix

• Cardio-vascular disease and stroke (women who both smoke and use oral contraceptives have a tenfold increase in risk)

• Osteoporosis

• Complications in pregnancy and labour including a greater risk of miscarriage

• Menstrual problems

• Reduced fertility

• How does smoking affect pregnancy?

Smoking during pregnancy affects the health of the unborn and newborn baby.

These effects can include:

• Retarded foetal growth leading to a low birth rate

• Increased risk of cot death (or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• A lower than average birth weight and therefore more likely suffering from infections and other health problems

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