Help for pregnant smokers

The Washington Department of Health has launched a new effort to help pregnant women quit smoking.

Secretary of Health Mary Selecky says about 8,700 babies are born each year to women in Washington who smoke during their pregnancies. She says those babies are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and have other health problems. The number of smoking mothers is higher among younger women, those who receive Medicaid benefits and Native American women. The Tobacco Quit Line (800-784-8669 and in Spanish, 877-266-3863) provides free help to women who smoke before and after the baby is born.