Smoking and ttc and doc gave me patches

In a couple months I will be 35 and started smoking when I was 8! I have been ttc on and off since I was 18 I have pcos and have frequent miscarriages. I seen the doctor and he said that smoking should be the least of my worries. He told me that the baby has a higher risk of disabilities because of my age than if I were to smoke during my pregnancy.   I am going on the patch tomorrow and I know that's not good for the baby either but it has to be better than cigarettes. Has anyone heard a doctor say this? I'm confused as to why he would say that! Any comments are welcome! Thank you!