the Wedding Planner

Irish Wedding News

19/06/2014

Fall In Number Of Mums-To-Be Smoking

New figures have revealed that the number of women smoking during pregnancy is now at its lowest recorded level.

The statistics for 2013/14, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), show the number of women smoking during pregnancy across England is down to 12%.

However, while rates have continued to fall from the 16% first measured in 2006-07, the HSCIC added that there were large regional differences of pregnant women who classed themselves as smokers.

For example, London had the lowest prevalence with 5.1%, while the north east had the highest prevalence with almost 21% (20.6%).

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
Fairy Tales The Wedding & Events Specialists

Elsewhere, NHS Blackpool had the highest rate with 28% of mothers-to-be smoking, while the Isle of Wight, Lincolnshire, South Devon and Wiltshire also had high smoking rates during pregnancy. Central London was found to have the lowest rate of 1.9%.

Smoking while pregnant can damage babies' hearts and increases the risk of premature birth and even miscarriage. The UK Government has said it has set a target to reduce the rate of women smoking during their pregnancy to 11% or less by 2015. Today's report by the HSCIC said that, to date, 39% of local health areas have met the target.

Commenting on the publication, Kingsley Manning, HSCIC Chair, said: "It is encouraging to see that since 2006-07 the number of pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy has declined. However, there is still a little way to go to achieve the national ambition.

"Today's figures highlight there is still work to be done and it is fundamental that mothers-to-be are aware of the damaging effects smoking can have on their baby."

(JP/IT)

Top stories


20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant

Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance

Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth

Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend

Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life

Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle

Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans

Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids

Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters

Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
more infomore info
0.015625 3.137.175.83 Ban:1, But:1 22/12/2024

"New figures have revealed that the number of women smoking during pregnancy is now at its lowest recorded level."