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Tuesday, 5th February 2013
In General Japan News,
Report reveals Japanese women continue smoking in pregnancy
Despite the obvious health dangers to both a mother and her unborn child, some ten per cent of Japanese mums-to-be aged 24 or younger continue to smoke during her pregnancy.
That is according to statistics released by the Environment Ministry, which reveals that a high percentage of pregnant women's partners also smoke.
The study, which looked at some 33,000 pregnant women and their spouses during 2011 and 2012 found that 63 per cent of fathers-to-be had failed to give up cigarettes despite their partners' condition.
Zentoro Yamagata, a professor at the University of Yamanashi who was involved in the study, said: "It is cause for concern, based on the results, that babies' health may be damaged by second hand smoking after birth, too."
Mr Yamagata urged pregnant women "and those close to them … to refrain from smoking".
It seems the message is starting to get through to older parents-to-be as the percentage of women over 40 who are pregnant and continue to smoke drops to four per cent.
Despite the obvious health dangers to both a mother and her unborn child, some ten per cent of Japanese mums-to-be aged 24 or younger continue to smoke during her pregnancy.
That is according to statistics released by the Environment Ministry, which reveals that a high percentage of pregnant women's partners also smoke.
The study, which looked at some 33,000 pregnant women and their spouses during 2011 and 2012 found that 63 per cent of fathers-to-be had failed to give up cigarettes despite their partners' condition.
Zentoro Yamagata, a professor at the University of Yamanashi who was involved in the study, said: "It is cause for concern, based on the results, that babies' health may be damaged by second hand smoking after birth, too."
Mr Yamagata urged pregnant women "and those close to them … to refrain from smoking".
It seems the message is starting to get through to older parents-to-be as the percentage of women over 40 who are pregnant and continue to smoke drops to four per cent.
Written by Susan Ballion
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