WHY do I constantly see young mothers with prams or pushchairs puffing away on cigarettes?

It wasn't too long ago that for a girl to get pregnant outside of marriage was classed as shameful and the parents had to sort out the ensuing problems for themselves, or seek other means of providing for their wayward daughters.

Now it just seems to be a status symbol amply rewarded by handouts from the Government - hence the ability to push a pram and smoke at the same time.

Also, knowing that they will never have to work for the next 15 years or so, having a roof over their heads (paid for by us), money in their pockets and the promise of neverending benefits means that they can sit back and buck the whole system with impunity (and have enough money left over to smoke as much as they wish).

In fact, it's more than that, it's a direct route to being rewarded by the state for producing illegitimate children who, by growing up with only one parent may be adding to the problems we already have.

I find it encouraging that I don't see many young boys puffing away - maybe they can't afford it! They just don't have the same privileges or state benefits as these young mothers.

Name supplied, Newton Aycliffe.