A coalition of health groups in the UK are calling on the Government to take action to half the rates of women who smoke during pregnancy.
The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group wants the Government to reduce smoking in pregnancy to less than 6% by 2020, and are calling for a more robust data collection system. They also want mandatory training for health professionals and automatic referral for pregnant smokers to specialist services unless they opt out.
According to reports, 70,000 pregnancies are affected by smokers every year; around 2,200 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 stillbirths are caused by smoking.
While the report suggests that the rate of the number of people who smoke throughout their pregnancy has fallen below 11%, it has shown a huge different in counties across England. According to figures, 14.6% of women in Yorkshire are still smoking by the time their baby is born compared to 5% in London.
Talking about the campaign, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Rcog), Dr. David Richmond, said: “As obstetricians we see first-hand the devastating effects of miscarriage, premature births and stillbirths caused by smoking in pregnancy. Stopping smoking is the most important thing a pregnant woman can do to improve her baby’s health, growth and development and reduce unnecessary pregnancy complications.”
Explaining how it will be the most vulnerable who will be hit the hardest, Francine Bates, chief executive of the Lullaby Trust, said: “Recent progress is great news but there is still much work to be done. Smoking in pregnancy remains the largest modifiable risk factor in sudden infant deaths, which devastates families.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Smoking rates in general and in pregnancy are at their lowest ever levels. We have made significant progress in combating smoking. We have introduced standardised packaging for cigarettes, banned smoking in cars with children and we are determined to continue to reduce smoking rates, particularly in pregnant women."
“We have committed to developing a new tobacco control strategy and will consider all recommendations as part of this process.”
