Although the number of women who smoke during pregnancy has declined, smoking is still a major cause of newborn deaths, premature births, and babies born underweight. A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that infant lives could be saved if more mothers quit smoking before pregnancy. The study was published in the July issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and analyzed data from 3.3 million births during 2002. The study suggests that 23-34 percent of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases were directly linked to mother’s smoking. Smoking mothers are also responsible for about $232 million in health care costs each year. 

Source:  icyou.com