This story turned up as a 'trending item' in Australia this year (2016):
Quote:
A dangerous trend in pregnant teens lighting up is emerging, as future Aussie young mums are taking on the deadly habit in a bid to give birth to smaller babies.
A 10-year Australian study revealed pregnant teens are more concerned about giving birth to a large child than the health implications cigarettes can cause, including higher miscarriage and stillbirth risks, problems with brain development, as well as asthma and allergies.
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https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/...-growth-study/
However similar stories appeared in 'The Telegraph' in the UK in both 2006 and 2011
2006
Quote:
Pregnant teenagers are deliberately smoking in the hope of giving birth to smaller babies, making labour less painful, a Government minister claimed yesterday.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-minister.html
2011
Quote:
Even though most women now understand there is “overwhelming evidence” that smoking during pregnancy is harmful to the developing child, they continue to do so, said Professor Nick Macklon of Southampton University.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/heal...er-babies.html
This sounds like a press-based urban legend, how many other versions can be found of this story, and can anyone find the study mentioned in the 2016 article.