7 Healthcast: Smoking babies

Massachusetts General's Dr. Jonathan Winickoff knows the effect of smoking on babies first-hand.

Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, MGH Pediatric Cease Program
"Second hand smoke is the number one cause of sudden infant death syndrome in the United States. Second-hand smoke causes 3 times more deaths than all childhood cancers combined."

Dr. Jonathan Winickoff is taking up the charge to end the problem through a new program targeted at new parents.

Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, MGH Pediatric Cease Program
"The Cease Program is designed to help parents quit smoking...it uses the visit of the child to the doctor's office to accomplish that task."

The Cease Program targets parents who bring their newborns in for appointments and offers free counseling, plenty of information, literature, and most importantly an evaluation to help determine the best method for helping them quit smoking.

New mother Terri DiJoseph of Somerville says that the program has been helping her.

Terri DiJoseph, new mother
"For me, it was such an important thing because I was so concerned that after I had my baby Matthew, that I'd go back to smoking"

Terri states that she didn't know all of the risks.

Terri DiJoseph, new mother
"It changes their neurological make-up, so even after smoking the toxins that are left in your hair or on your clothes or body can still be very harmful to your child."

Even celebrities kicked the habit when they had kids, like Beantown's own Ben Affleck and Matt Damon...their wives said "No *butts* about it....no smoking around the baby!"

Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, MGH Pediatric Cease Program
"Having those examples of celebrities who've quit I think gives hope to just the 'average Joe's.'"

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