NHS England has announced the largest annual decrease in smoking during pregnancy since records began, with approximately 6,000 fewer pregnant women smoking in 2023/24 compared to the previous year. The latest statistics show that 7.4% of women were smokers at the time of delivery in 2023/24, a significant drop from 8.8% in 2022/23. However, this figure still exceeds the national target of 6% or less.
The data reveals a notable decline in smoking rates among pregnant women, marking the most substantial annual decrease ever recorded. NHS England’s report indicates that smoking rates in 2023/24 fell by 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous year, reflecting a positive trend in smoking cessation efforts.
According to NHSE, over 90% of inpatient and maternity services now offer smoking cessation support. Despite this progress, smoking rates among pregnant women remain above the desired target. The national ambition of reducing smoking rates to 6% or lower has been achieved in 28 out of 106 sub-integrated care boards (sub-ICBs) that reported data.
Buckinghamshire stands out with a notably lower smoking rate of just 4.7% among pregnant women. This achievement is attributed to the proactive use of tobacco dependency advisors from the onset of pregnancy, a practice highlighted by NHSE as enhancing engagement and uptake of cessation services.
Kate Brintworth, NHSE’s chief midwifery officer, expressed optimism about the results, praising the efforts of midwives and the targeted support provided through maternity services. “It is extremely encouraging to see that the number of pregnant women smoking has reached the lowest level ever, in part thanks to our brilliant teams of midwives and the specialist support we provide to expectant mums through our maternity services,” Brintworth said.
While the reduction in smoking rates during pregnancy is a positive development, NHSE acknowledges that further efforts are needed to meet the national target. Continued focus on improving smoking cessation services and addressing regional disparities will be essential in achieving the desired reduction in smoking rates among pregnant women.
Overall, the report underscores the effectiveness of dedicated smoking cessation programs and the role of specialized support in driving down smoking rates during pregnancy, marking a significant step forward in public health efforts.
