Chrissie Swan & Smoking in pregnancy.

It would seem opinions are divided on the latest mini scandal involving radio host and presenter Chrissie Swan. After a photographer took a picture of her smoking she admitted on air in a teary confession that she has smoked while pregnant. She explained she smoked approximately five a week and feels terrible about it. She has found it impossible to quit.

It would seem there are two very diverse opinions here. Those that say she is selfish and that her behaviour is inexcusable. Then there are those that say we all make mistakes and we should not judge her.

Smoking while pregnant is not recommend due to increased risks of many health problems for the baby. It is heavily frowned upon by most. What mother would knowingly damage her child?

One can understand people saying well in this case I am going to judge. Smoking while pregnant is wrong. It is dangerous and it is inexcusable.

Then again what do any of us know of her situation? Perhaps those who have never been addicted to a substance should not be judging.

Because addiction is an illness that cannot be controlled. You know the old way of treating alcoholics where people would just tell the person to simply stop drinking? Remember how well that approach worked?

Smoking is an addiction and a very difficult one to kick. I have heard smokers who have not smoked for many years still crave cigarettes. Overcoming an addiction to cigarettes is an extremely difficult thing to do. Willpower alone is often not enough despite what well intentioned non smokers might think.

Perhaps Chrissie's admission will make us see that when a woman becomes pregnant as much as she might want to do everything right for her baby giving up an addiction is not something that can just be done?

Yes there are plenty of people out there that have quit cold turkey and although I don't have the statistics I think perhaps most people fail in this approach. Why else would things like Nicolette etc be such big business?

Imagine a pregnant woman who has the odd smoke as she cannot control her addiction? What would she most likely do? Probably what Chrissie did and sneak them when no one was around as she would feel ashamed to tell anyone.

So instead of demonising Chrissie and those like her perhaps it is time to admit that quitting smoking is tough and that pregnant women should in fact ask for help?

This is a problem when things become unacceptable in society. We don't admit to them to anyone, don't ask for help and continue to suffer. The same can be said of alcoholics or compulsive gamblers.

I don't condone smoking in pregnancy. I think every pregnant woman should make great efforts to quit. In fact I don't like smoking at all. But perhaps we need to hate the habit and not the person who is addicted to it? Just a thought.

What do you think?