Academics at the University of York looked at the smoking habits of around 14,000 mothers, who took part in the UK's largest population survey, the Millennium Cohort Study.
By also looking at their responses regarding the behaviour of their children, the researchers found that mothers who smoked during their pregnancy were significantly more likely to have children with discipline problems, hyperactivity and low attention spans than mothers who stopped smoking when pregnant.
Even the children of light smokers during pregnancy, which is categorised as fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, were around 80 per cent more likely to have hyperactivity-attention deficit disorders.
The research concludes that mothers who gave up smoking when pregnant are more likely to have an "easygoing temperament" and an ability to show restraint. Both traits are likely to be handed down to their children, says the research.
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