WHAT DOCTORS READ:SMOKING BREEDS BAD BEHAVIOUR

Only 39 per cent of GPs warn pregnant women of the dangers of passive smoking, according to a survey of doctors by the British Medical Association (Pulse, 6 Feb 1993).

Meanwhile, another study of 6000 boys found higher levels of delinquency among those whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy. The discrepancy could not be accounted for by such factors as social class. The Finnish researchers suggest that smoking during pregnancy may damage the brain in a way which affects future behaviour.