Heavy Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Kids Becoming Repeat Offenders as Adults

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101115210939.htm

ScienceDaily (Nov. 15, 2010) — Mums who smoke heavily while pregnant run the risk of having kids who grow up to become repeat criminal offenders, suggests research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The findings held true, even after taking account of a comprehensive range of family and social factors, such as mental ill health and deprivation, which are likely to influence behaviours, the research showed.

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The findings showed that children whose mothers had smoked heavily during the pregnancy were the most likely to have a criminal record as an adult. They had a 30% increased chance of having been arrested, and this applied to women just as much as it did to men.

The children of women who smoked heavily during the pregnancy were also more likely to be repeat criminal offenders as adults.

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