Record low in Shropshire women smoking during pregnancy

New figures show that 12.5 per cent of women in Shropshire smoke during pregnancy, down from 15 per cent the previous year.

However, Linda Offord, programme lead in tobacco control for Shropshire Council, said there are still significantly more Shropshire women aged under 25 who smoke during pregnancy than older age groups.

She also said there are significantly more women smoking in pregnancy in the most deprived areas of Shropshire compared to the county average.

"This results in health inequalities being passed on to the next generation, as children with parents that smoke in the home are more likely to be exposed to harm from second-hand smoke, and more likely to become smokers themselves when they grow up," she said.

"All pregnant women are tested for carbon monoxide exposure at their booking appointment with midwives. Exposure could be from faulty boilers or tobacco smoke. All pregnant women who smoke are then referred to the stop smoking services to help them quit. Partners and family members who smoke are also offered help to quit."

The Government has a target of reducing the number of pregnant women smoking to 12 per cent by the end of the year.

Yesterday it was revealed that in Telford and Wrekin 18 per cent of pregnant woman smoke, down from 21 per cent the year before. Health officials say smoking is the single biggest risk to a healthy pregnancy.

Ms Offord added: "Smoking in pregnancy increases the likelihood of miscarriage and still birth and increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Smoking in pregnancy can also have long-term effects on the health of children."

Rod Thomson, Shropshire Council's director of public health, said the Shropshire figures were among the lowest in England. He added: "

We are still higher than we would like to be given the risks to both the mother and child from smoking, but we are seeing our numbers going down."