This assignment will begin by providing a brief definition of health while presenting a discussion of an individual's exploration of making healthy choices. The purpose of this assignment is to examine the effects of making healthy choices and the implications that may occur. Current social policies affecting health and society and the effects of smoking during pregnancy will also be discussed. “Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 2011) This definition was first cited by the international health conference of July 1946 and it remained the same. Health is a lifestyle that affects every individual, factors such as the condition of the body have an impact on overall health. Additionally, if an individual is fit and in good shape, they are more likely to make healthy choices. Currently, around 10 million adults smoke in British society (BBC News 2007). Take the example of cigarettes, many of the known effects of smoking include heart disease, lung cancer, heart attacks and much more. Yet adults all over the world are constantly involved in this habit which ultimately deteriorates the health of the being. The number of women taking up smoking during pregnancy has increased significantly and continues to increase, despite government targets to reduce it (BBC Health). Statistics reveal that one in three pregnant women continues to smoke, despite current social policies and campaigns in place to help them quit. Campaigns including NHS smoke free, NHS stop smoking services and local stop smoking clinics show up where women can… half of document… health guide 26: Stopping smoking during pregnancy and after birth: Date of issue June 2010 http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13023/49345/49345.pdf page 6Nice: guidelines aim to protect thousands of infants and young children from the harm of tobacco: updated 23 June 2010 http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/UnbornBabiesSmallChildrenTobaccoHarm.jsp [Date accessed 01/12/2011]http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/index.html [Date accessed 8/12/2011]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14104526 [Date accessed 8/12/2011] Rebukers, assistants or friends: contrasting communication styles of South African midwives when discuss smoking cessation with pregnant women - Midwifery, volume 27, issue 4, August 2011, pages 519-520 Katherine Everett-Murphy, Jeske Paijmans, Krisela Steyn, Catherine Matthews, Maria Emmelin, Zaino Peterson