Figures reveal further drop in smoking during pregnancy

New figures reveal a significantly fewer number of women are smoking during pregnancy throughout Tameside and Glossop.

According to NHS Digital’s latest figures, 6.9% of pregnant mums in the area between April 2023 to March 2024 smoked during pregnancy – a drop of 4.7 percentage points from 2022-23.

It comes as figures shower fewer than 8 in 100 women across the wider Greater Manchester area smoked during pregnancy, a drop for the sixth consecutive year.

The significant reduction is attributed to Greater Manchester’s Smokefree Pregnancy programme, a key component of Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership’s regional tobacco control strategy to make smoking history.

Launched in 2018, the innovative programme is delivered in collaboration between NHS Greater Manchester, local authorities, and NHS Foundation Trusts. It aims to tackle health inequalities, improve health and wellbeing, and ultimately save babies’ lives.

Since its inception, smoking at time of delivery – the benchmark used by the NHS to measure the number of women smoking throughout pregnancy up to childbirth – has dropped by over a quarter, from 12.6% in 2017-18.

Earlier this year, Wendy Whittle, specialist maternity tobacco dependence advisor at NHS Tameside & Glossop was recognised with the Excellence in Reducing Maternal Smoking Award by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). She said: “It’s great to see the rates of women who are smoking while pregnant continuously decreasing. Quitting smoking is crucial for a healthy pregnancy, and for the ongoing health of both mothers and children, but it isn’t always easy.

“We want pregnant women to know they don’t have to do it on their own and specialist support is there to help you along the way.

“The sooner you stop smoking, the better chances you’ll have of a healthier, happier pregnancy and birth. My advice to women who smoke is please speak to your midwife, there is absolutely no judgement, and we want to reassure people that we are here to help.”

Jane Coyne, Treating Tobacco Dependency Lead / Jane Pilkington, Director of Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester said: “We are thrilled to see such a substantial decrease in smoking at time of delivery. This progress reflects the dedication of our team, healthcare providers, and, most importantly, the women who choose to quit smoking for their health and their babies' health. We will continue to strive for a future where every pregnancy in Greater Manchester is smokefree.”

For free, personalised support to stop smoking, Greater Manchester residents can visit www.makesmokinghistory.co.uk or download the Smoke Free app for six months’ free access to all premium features (T&Cs apply). If you are pregnant or expecting a baby, please speak to your midwife or GP.