People News

Nicole Richie smoking claims

Oct 30, 2007, 7:30 GMT

Nicole Richie EPA/JASON SZENES

Nicole Richie is still smoking, despite being seven months pregnant, it has been claimed.

'The Simple Life' star is expecting her first child but has apparently been unable to give up cigarettes. She has allegedly been seen lighting up several times outside various Beverly Hills restaurants over the past few weeks.

A source, who claims to have spotted the star having a sly puff earlier this month (October 07), told the New York Post newspaper: "I saw Nicole come out of DaSilvano with a girlfriend and a middle aged lady. She looked around at the outdoor tables, like she was checking to see who was there, and then lit up.

"They drove off in a black Cadillac Escalade and Nicole was still smoking."

A few days later, Nicole, 26, was dining with fiancé Joel Madden - the father of her unborn child - at Nobu and as soon as they left she is said to have lit up a cigarette.

Pregnant mothers are advised not to smoke as it can harm the unborn baby.

Nicole, the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie, and the Good Charlotte frontman are rumoured to be expecting a boy.

When she was five months pregnant Nicole served 82 minutes of a 24-hour jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI (driving under the influence).

(C) BANG Media International