It seems that the announcements of Ms. Joanna Houston during a parliamentary hearing recently have not gone well with the concerns of the National MP Mr. Tau Henare.

The minister has not only disputed the risks of pregnant women smoking in his speech but he also described all the smokers as "the new lepers".

Ms. Joanna works with Smokechange for the wellbeing of Maori children. In her announcement during the parliamentary hearing, she focused over a smoke-free pregnancy, claiming that the healthier pregnancy could give the new born the best gift of health. She added that the women, who smoke during their pregnancy, put the babies at higher risks and disadvantages. The above speech was reported by the Fairfax Media.

Mr. Henare immediately objected her speech. He further asked her about the health of her children as she also admitted to smoking when she was pregnant. Boldly replying to which, Ms. Joanna confirmed that her son is asthmatic and has eczema too, whereas her daughter has asthma and some more allergies, which she believes are the result of her pregnancy smoking.

He said smokers were "the new lepers in the community" and said having to go outside to smoke was "seriously depressing".