Fewer women in Newark and Sherwood are smoking while pregnant, NHS figures show

Fewer women in Newark and Sherwood smoke while pregnant, figures have revealed.

According to NHS digital data, only 14% of mums who gave birth during the first three months of 2019 in the district's Clinical Commissioning Group area were smokers.

However, the Government said too many women in England are still at risk of suffering complications as a result of smoking, particularly in deprived areas.

It was found 35 out of the 259 women who gave birth during that time were smokers.

It was down from 18% during the same period last year, but still above the 6% target the Government wants CCGs to meet by 2022.

Across England, a total of 145,876 mothers gave birth during the same three months.

Vicky Salt, policy manager at charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: “These figures show a slight decline in rates of smoking during pregnancy compared to last year, however, much more must be done to address the big variations in prevalence rates between local areas.

“Government must go further, and faster, if it is to achieve its national ambition to reduce smoking at time of delivery.”

It warned that smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems, including complications during labour and an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth and still birth.

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