Smoking and drinking during pregnancy
(originally posted on Bubblews)

Do you think pregnant women should be forbidden to smoke and/or drink?

We all know the risks of smoking, for us and for others. But one of the others may be the baby strapped on our belly, no where to go, no word to say. Does that baby have any rights?

I know that in many countries, mine included, a woman may decide to end a life that is forming inside her because she took control of her body (even when another body is depending on hers). But how about when a woman decides she WANTS to have a baby? Should that woman still have the right to do has she pleases and keep on smoking and/or drinking as much as she likes, or is she committing a crime?

How about after birth? If a child is born with severe brain damage due to the fact that her mother was a hard smoker and/or drinker during pregnancy, should that woman be considered guilty of a crime?

What do you think?