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 Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
Q: My husband smokes. Can tobacco damage his sperm?
A: While there is no evidence that smoking damages sperm, there are many other reasons to be concerned about
having a smoker in the house. Secondhand smoke poses a real risk to both a pregnant woman and her unborn
baby, since the smoke she inhales is only a little less than if she smoked herself. A pregnant woman exposed to
tobacco smoke is at increased risk of premature delivery, as well as other complications. Then, after the baby is
born, exposure to secondhand smoke can increase your child's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and
can lead to infant and childhood respiratory illnesses. Finally, you need to be concerned about the adverse
effects--including links to lung cancer and heart disease--that this habit has on your husband's health. For all these
reasons, quitting smoking is the best thing he can do!
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