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Effect of smoking among Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers on preterm birth and full-term low birthweight

Barry N J Walters
Med J Aust 2009; 190 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02469.x
Published online: 6 April 2009

To the Editor: Wills and Coory emphasise maternal smoking as a risk factor for preterm birth and low birthweight, with exaggerated effects apparent in Indigenous women.1 They suggest that governments have a responsibility to ensure that interventions are offered to help women quit. Unfortunately, there are adverse effects of smoking cessation that mitigate the gains of cessation and introduce a caveat to that otherwise laudable motive.


  • King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA.



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