Pregnant smokers 'unaware of health risks'
Doctors have warned that Scottish pregnant smokers do not know enough about the health risks for themselves and their babies.
Currently, 19% of pregnant women are smokers, compared to 29% in 1995.
The BMA Scotland said the fact one in five mothers-to-be still smoked showed the Scottish government had a lot to do to educate people on the effects.
On the UN's World No Tobacco Day, the organisation called for more support for adults to quit the habit.
Smoking in pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of premature birth and cot death.
It also increases by one-third the risk of stillbirth or death within the first week of a baby's life.
Children born to parents who smoke are also twice as likely to suffer from serious respiratory infections.
Dr Sally Winning, deputy chairman of BMAS,
Christmas gifts said: "Around one in five women smoke during pregnancy and, although this is an improvement on previous years, it reflects the lack of knowledge among Scots about the health risks of smoking, not only to themselves, but to the health of their children."
She said partners and families could help pregnant smokers by quitting at the same time.
Dr Winning said it was "essential" that the Scottish government tackles the issue of parental smoking.
She added: "Parents should be educated about the effects of smoking, not just on their own health, but to their children.
"We need to offer more smoking cessation support to adults and parents to help those who wish to stop smoking stay stopped."
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