Noreen D Mdege

Introduction Adolescence and early adulthood are the periods of greatest vulnerability to initiating smoking, alcohol consumption, and psychoactive substance misuse (, ). Initiation is shaped by social influence, peer pressure, media portrayals, stress, bullying, low self-esteem, and family substance use (SU) (–). Early onset raises the risk of dependence and of chronic disease, making prevention and cessation a global priority (–).

Fiona Dobbie, Noreen Mdege, Fiona Davidson, Kamran Siddiqi, Jeff Collin, Rumana Huque, Ellis Owusudabo, Corne van Walbeek, and Linda Bauld Abstract Background Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. By 2030, more than 80% of these tobacco-related deaths will occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, placenta praevia, and placental abruption, and with poor fetal outcomes such as low birthweight, premature birth, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome, and high overall perinatal mortality.1x1Pineles, BL, Park, E, and Samet, JM. Systematic review and meta-analysis of miscarriage and maternal exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy. Am J Epidemiol.