Infertility Network UK: Quitting boosts fertility

Smokers who want to conceive should quit to boost their fertility, Infertility Network UK (IN UK) has said.

The charity is supporting the No Smoking Day initiative, which is encouraging people to stop smoking and highlights the support available for smokers who decide to quit.

IN UK says men who smoke tend to have lower sperm counts and the sperm they do produce show higher numbers of abnormal sperm.

Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have children with low birth weight, miscarriage and premature labour.

"Stopping smoking is probably the most important single thing that you and your partner can do for you and your baby's health and will help improve your chances of conceiving," said IN UK's Susan Seenan.

"Many primary care trusts will now only provide fertility treatment to couples who are non smokers due to the impact smoking can have on the success rates and the adverse effects on the health of any babies."