WOMEN SMOKERS

Column: 475

WOMEN SMOKERS

13.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Health (a) if there are any studies done on why more women are taking up smoking in Singapore; (b) how will smoking affect female fertility; and (c) whether there is a trend among young mothers, who are smokers and who are addicted to tobacco, having problems conceiving children.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The National Health Survey showed that the smoking prevalence among women aged 18-65 years increased from 3.1% in 1992 to 3.6% in 2001. The smoking prevalence

Column: 477

among young women aged 18-24 years increased more rapidly, from 2.8% to 8.4% over the same period.

There is no local study on why more Singaporean women are smoking today compared to previous years. Studies in other countries attributed the increasing trend in smoking among women to the aggressive advertising by tobacco companies which promote cigarettes to women using seductive images of vitality, slimness, modernity, emancipation, sophistication and sexual allure. In a study on smoking among the Singapore youths (2001), young women aged 19-24 years indicated that they smoke because of peer pressure, to relief stress, control their weight and improve their social image.

A report published by the British Medical Association in 2004 on the impact of smoking on reproductive health showed conclusive evidence that female smokers are more likely to be infertile compared to non-smokers. It also reported that female smokers take longer to conceive and couples who smoke are less likely to respond to infertility treatment and the risks of miscarriage and stillbirth are higher in pregnant women who smoke.

In view of the rising trend of young female smokers, the Health Promotion Board is now targeting its campaign to educate and encourage young females to stay smoke-free or quit the habit.