A study in the U.K. suggests that more than 40% of all pregnant women in Pakistan are exposed to second-hand smoke, causing approximately 17,000 stillbirths in a year. Exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, low birth-weight and respiratory illnesses. However, little is known about the extent of second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy. The scientists looked at the number of pregnancies alongside smoking exposure data in 30 developing countries (2008-2013). he analysis showed revealed that in Armenia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, more than 50% of pregnant women reported exposure to household second-hand smoke. The authors believe this led to over 10,000 still births in Indonesia alone. In five of these countries, household second-hand smoke exposure was twice as common as active smoking. The study has been published in the journal, BMJ Tobacco Control .
