Cowell under fire for smoking beside his pregnant lover: Health campaigners warn X Factor mogul of damage he could cause unborn son

  • TV mogul, 54, is self-confessed nicotine addict who enjoys a puff 'after sex'
  • He has been photographed indulging habit round pregnant Lauren Silverman
  • Action on Smoking and Health: 'Tobacco smoke can harm unborn child'

By Alasdair Glennie

PUBLISHED: 20:36 EST, 31 October 2013 | UPDATED: 20:38 EST, 31 October 2013

Now he is to be a father, you might think Simon Cowell would want to start looking after himself – and his pregnant girlfriend – a little better.

But it seems even the responsibilities of impending parenthood can’t stop the TV mogul from lighting up a cigarette.

The 54-year-old has been spotted smoking in the company of Lauren Silverman in the past weeks, leading to fears his habit could harm his unborn baby.

Habit: Simon Cowell lights up as he leaves St Martin's Theatre, London, with New York socialite Lauren Silverman, who is reportedly carrying his child. His habit was criticised by a charity which argued smoking harms the unborn child

Habit: Simon Cowell lights up as he leaves St Martin's Theatre, London, with New York socialite Lauren Silverman, who is reportedly carrying his child. He was criticised by the charity Action on Smoking and Health

Lighting up: The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent star once confessed he started smoking at the age of eight

Lighting up: The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent star once confessed he started smoking at the age of eight

Pictures of him puffing away by her side even prompted health charity Action on Smoking and Health to warn all pregnant women to avoid passive smoke because of the increased risks of congenital abnormalities.

After studying images of the pair, the charity’s research manager Amanda Sandford said: ‘Tobacco smoke is toxic and can harm the unborn child so it’s really important that pregnant women avoid breathing in tobacco smoke, whether through active or passive smoking.

 

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‘Studies show that babies born to women who were exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk of having a low birth weight, congenital abnormalities and are also at increased risk of dying shortly after birth.’

Cowell is a self-confessed nicotine addict, and once admitted he started smoking at the age of eight.

Earlier this year, he tried to kick his 40-a-day menthols habit by switching to smokeless electric cigarettes instead.

The X Factor boss recently said he felt he would be a good father despite not having a natural affinity with babies

The mogul recently said he felt he would be a good father despite not having a natural affinity with babies

But he was soon back on the tobacco, admitting: ‘I equate smoking with having a good time. I shouldn’t be saying this but, well, they’re not illegal, are they? After sex – amazing.’

Last month, Cowell had a cigarette in his hand when he and 36-year-old Miss Silverman – who is five months pregnant – went out to dinner in New York.

And he was smoking again over the weekend as they walked side by side down the street in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The X Factor boss recently said he felt he would be a good father despite not having a natural affinity with babies.

He said: ‘I’m not brilliant with babies. I never know what to do. But [once it’s older] I think I’ll be a good dad in terms of advice. And then I’ll get to do all the things I want to do, like go to Disneyland or Universal Studios, teach him how to drive – I love all that.’

However, he added he would ‘100% absolutely not’ change the child’s nappies.

Miss Silverman divorced her husband in August after it was revealed she was carrying Cowell’s child.
The New York socialite has told friends she wants to marry him.

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Smoking is such a foul habit and apart from the health risks smokers stink so horribly! But they will remain in denial and say it's no harm to anyone. All red arrows in response to this comment will be smokers in denial!

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Totally none of our business.

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1 - she smokes. 2- the chance of any harm occurring to the fetus is statistically minor. If you can quit, it's better. But the chance of serious harm is still incredibly small. Asthma and lung problems are genetic more than environmental, so if the parents have issues, they should avoid smoke. But seriously - how many people aged 30+ had smoker parents? I remember my parents driving us kids around in the car with all the windows rolled up and both smoking like crazy. And all of my friends have similar stories. It's really just hysteria now. Sure, quit if you can. Don't smoke around your kids. Keep windows open if you smoke. But you don't have to be stupid about it. And, really, it's none of our business.

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It's nobody's business but theirs. Why does everyone think they have the right to tell others how to live their lives? Boots call social services when someone disciplines their child, young mum gets chastised for taking her seven week old baby into Sainsburys and so on and so on. I find it disgusting when drunks throw up in the street - BIG health hazard - or people spit, cough in my face etc BUT I leave them to live their lives without interfering. If all these people behave like self appointed police they will come undone when the spotlight is turned on their own lives at some point in the future. Live and let live.

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NEXT.

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More fool her, for letting him.

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If Lauren Cowell doesn't mind and she's the one carry the baby.

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Guess baby's needs come second to Simon's need to smoke and her need to keep Simon happy. Imagine if they were poor working class folk...

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Wondering if the child will even have a father as he is growing up....a smoker since aged 8!!!!???? He has a very unhealthy look about him and I can't see Simon Cowell making old bones...and for his son-to-be that is a sad fact.

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She's probably still smoking on the sly herself, they're as good as each other.

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