Smoking does not only affect one’s health, but is also harmful to the next generation. Studies show that smoking during pregnancy can affect the foetus adversely, such as causing stillbirths and premature births. It also causes congenital malformations (e.g. orofacial clefts). Ms Ng, who had smoked for 14 years and is now a mother, has a lot to share.
“I started smoking when I was about 12 or 13 under peer pressure. I smoked for about 14 years.” Miss Ng recalled how she developed tobacco addiction in the first place. She smoked 5 to 6 cigarettes per day when she was young. After entering the workforce, she smoked about one to two packs per day. “I did not smoke when I was at work, and smoked more when I hung out and drank after work.”
Breastfeeding and wishful thinking
Ms Ng quitted smoking for the first time when she was pregnant. “I was about three months pregnant. I thought I should not smoke during pregnancy, so I stopped smoking. I had not smoked for 8 months until my eldest son was a month old.” After her son was born, Miss Ng had mood swings so she started smoking again. “I would breastfeed my son an hour after smoking because I thought it would not affect my son. In hindsight, it was very naïve on my part.” Ms Ng said.
Warning bells rung over her son’s health
After quitting for 8 months, Ms Ng relapsed into smoking. Her children were forced to be exposed to secondhand smoke. She finally decided to quit for good when her younger son’s health worsened. “When my younger son was about 3 months old, he was diagnosed with severe bronchitis. The doctor said he would develop asthma if he continued to be exposed to secondhand smoke.” Ms Ng said regretfully. After going home, she told her eldest son that she would quit smoking. Her son did not believe she could quit, and it upset Ms Ng. She went grocery shopping and saw a “Quit To Win” booth outside a mall, so she signed up. “After a week of smoking cessation, my eldest son knew that I was determined to quit. I think I set a good example for him.” Since then, Ms Ng has never smoked.
Life after quitting
Ms. Ng shared that during the first two weeks of quitting, she felt tired and she had lost some weight. Afterwards, she felt energetic and refreshed.
Spending more time with her children
After Ms Ng quitted smoking, her relationship with her children improved a lot, and she spent more time with them. “I used to smoke heavily. I could not stop once I started. I did everything with a cigarette in my hand. It was a waste of time. After I quit, my children were happier.” Ms Ng also actively persuaded her friends to quit smoking. Her friends smoked less or even stopped smoking, and her husband also smoked less. Everyone has the power to bring about change.
After Ms Ng quitted smoking, the health of her children improved significantly. “It has been a few years since I quitted after my younger son was born. Compared to my eldest, my younger son is healthier in many ways. Children of smoking parents are more prone to asthma, allergic rhinitis or other diseases.” Ms Ng sighed. To conclude, her heartfelt advice to all parents and expecting parents is this: “Smoking can permanently damage your child’s health. For your children’s health and development, quit now.”