Pregnant Chrissie Swan reveals smoking secret

Chrissie Swan admits smoking whilst pregnant

Radio and television personality Chrissie Swan has made a tearful on-air confession, admitting to smoking while pregnant.

The former Circle host and Mix FM presenter's came clean during a segment on her Melbourne radio show Chrissie and Jane this morning.

The star was recently snapped by a photographer having a secret puff in her car.

"I've struggled terribly with totally giving up cigarettes since I found out I was pregnant," she admitted.

"Up until about six years ago I was what you call a full-time smoker.

"I really gave it a nudge in my 20s, as a lot of us did.

"Then I met 'the Chippie' (husband Chris) who has never smoked and I cut back a lot...then I got pregnant with Leo and I quit completely for a couple of years, which was fantastic.

"Now sadly, I picked it up about a year ago and I was what I would call a 'not really smoker'.

"I never smoked at home and I never smoked around my family. I'd just sneak a few here and there, and I know I'm not alone in this. Mainly I would do it in the car, in fact, I would only do it in the car when I was certain that I was alone."

Swan discovered she was pregnant for the third time six months ago, and says the news came as a 'massive surprise'.

She said she attempted to go 'cold turkey' and stub out the smokes completely but admitted she failed time and time again.

"I was confident I could do it, but I just couldn't," she said.

This morning's tell-all has sparked public backlash - preempted by Swan who recently removed her Twitter page.

But anti-smoking groups say Swan's admissions about her serious battle with nicotine addiction could inspire others to address theirs.

Quit Victoria executive director Fiona Sharkey said: "It's harder than alcohol, it's harder than cocaine to give up. It is very, very addictive. This will help thousands of others to say they are not alone."

More info for smokers who want to quit