If you quit smoking, your baby will grow better. Nicotine from cigarettes makes your blood vessels tighten up, so your baby gets less food and oxygen. Your baby will have a better chance of being born alive and healthy. If you quit smoking your baby's lungs will work better. After your baby is born, don't smoke around the baby or let anyone else smoke around the baby. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have more trouble breathing and get more infections, pneumonia, bronchitis and colds. For free coaching on how to quit smoking, call the Missouri Tobacco Quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW. Quitline coaches have helped many smokers with tips on quitting, self-help materials and quit smoking support.

For additional information on smoking please go to the DHSS website.