World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2010
The epidemic of tobacco use manifests itself differently among women
- Women's reasons for smoking often differ from men's. The tobacco industry dupes many women into believing that smoking is a sign of liberation, and many women wrongly view smoking as a good way of keeping slim..
- Women who smoke are more likely than those who do not to experience infertility and delays in conceiving. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of premature delivery, stillbirth and newborn death and may cause a reduction in breast milk.
- Smoking increases women's risk for cancer of the cervix. There is a possible link between active smoking and premenopausal breast cancer.
- Many tobacco control strategies ignore women who chew tobacco.