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SMOKER'S DROOP Feb 12 2004
120,000 UKmen impotent says doc
By Calum Macdonald
SMOKING has made 120,000 UK men impotent, doctors warned yesterday.
The British Medical Association research also revealed that the habit makes
women 40 per cent less likely to conceive.
The BMA report is the first to examine fully the effects of tobacco on
reproduction and comes from Sir David Carter, formerly the Chief Medical
Officer for Scotland.
He claims smoking affects almost every aspect of sexual and reproductive
health from male potency to the effectiveness of fertility treatment.
Researchers found 120,000 men between the ages of 30 and 50 in the UK are
impotent as a direct result of smoking.
The habit is also linked to about 5000 miscarriages a year and 1200 cases of
malignant cervical cancer.
Women smokers take much longer to conceive and chances of conception are 40
per cent lower than for a non-smoker. Fertility treatment is also less
likely to be successful if either partner smokes.
The report found that women who smoke during pregnancy are three times more
likely to have a low birth weight baby more susceptible to illness and
death.
And it uncovered evidence to suggest a link between smoking and babies born
with deformities such as cleft lips and palates.
A baby will continue to suffer if the mother is a smoker as researchers
found smoking mums produce less and poorer quality breast milk than
non-smokers.
Other evidence pointed to links between passive smoking and cot death,
respiratory infections in children and childhood asthma.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: 'The
sheer scale of damage that smoking causes to reproductive and child health
is shocking.
'Women are aware that they should not smoke while pregnant but the message
needs to be far stronger.
'Men and women who might want children one day should bin cigarettes.
DR/12/02 'And we're not just talking about having children. Women who want
to protect themselves from cervical cancer should give up.
'Men who want to continue to enjoy sex should forget about lighting up given
the strong evidence that smoking is a major cause of male impotence.'
Around 17,000 under-fives are admitted to hospitals every year because of
breathing problems caused by second-hand smoke.
Dr Nathanson added: 'Reproductive health is not just a concern for women.
'Men also need to accept the challenge to quit smoking to improve their
reproductive health, support their partners and protect their children.' Dr
John Garner, chairman of the BMA Scottish Council, said more must be done by
government.
He said: 'This report gives further evidence of the need for effective
action on tobacco control from the Scottish Executive.
'Despite the Executive's Tobacco Action plan stating that smoking during
pregnancy is the single largest preventable cause of disease and death to
foetus and infants, their target rates to reduce smoking amongst pregnant
women remain the same as previously stated.'
Deborah Arnott, director of anti-smoking charity ASH, said: 'This report
clearly shows the devastating impact of smoking on generations to come.
'Stopping smoking should be the number one priority for anyone who wants to
have children.'
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