Lily Allen ‘not missing smoking’

Pregnant pop star Lily Allen says she isn’t missing smoking.The singer revealed she was “enjoying procreating,” and said: “I’m not missing smoking, drinking and going out. It’s made me realise a lot about some of the people I used to hang out with.”

It’s a different tone to the one Lily used to strike. She once told a reporter: “I love smoking… I don’t really want to say it, but I do.”

Lily has even flouted smoking bans by lighting up onstage at several gigs. Last year the singer smoked onstage in Liverpool. Liverpool Council became aware of the incident and followed it up with an investigation. Then this March, she smoked onstage during a co-headlining gig with Dizzee Rascal in Manchester. She has also ignored the French smoking ban by sparking up onstage in Paris.

Kick the habit during pregnancy

Lily’s decision to kick the smoking habit while she is pregnant is a wise one. Doctors warn that smoking during pregnancy exposes the foetus to toxins in tobacco smoke. Smoking can also raise the unborn baby’s heart rate, by reducing oxygen levels in the mother’s blood, making it harder for both her and the baby to breathe.

Expectant mothers who smoke are more likely to have a premature baby, with a low birth weight. The baby is twice as likely to die from cot death, will be ill more frequently and could suffer painful diseases like bronchitis. Children born to smoking mothers are also more likely to become smokers themselves in later years.

If you’re a pregnant mother who is still smoking, it’s not too late to give up. Every cigarette that you decide not to smoke will benefit you and your baby’s health. Speak to your doctor about ways that you can kick the habit and give up smoking.