Despite established health risks, over 10% of French women continue to smoke throughout their pregnancy, according to recent data from Public Health France. The 2021 survey, which included over 1,300 mothers of children under five, found that 13% of these women smoked throughout their pregnancy—a figure consistent with the 2017 survey results.
Public Health France highlighted that tobacco use remains prevalent both among the general population and during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy is linked to severe health complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and placental abruption, according to France’s national health insurance.
Additionally, a recent study revealed that even light smoking—defined as one or two cigarettes—before or during pregnancy can heighten the risk of serious neonatal health issues.
The new report from Public Health France indicated that 24% of mothers with children under five were smoking when they discovered their pregnancy. Of these women, 45% quit smoking either after learning of their pregnancy or during it, while 51% reduced their smoking frequency. However, 4% of respondents neither reduced nor ceased their smoking.
The findings align with a separate Public Health France survey of 15,000 women, which reported that 12% continued smoking during their third trimester in 2021. This represents a decrease from the 16% reported in 2016.
Caroline Combot, president of the French National Union Organisation of Midwives, told Euronews Health that completely quitting smoking during pregnancy can be challenging. Many women who attempt to quit may relapse quickly, partly due to a lack of effective communication and the difficulty in accessing smoking cessation specialists.
Combot also noted that the smoking habits of partners can hinder a pregnant woman’s efforts to quit. “Both parents need to take steps to quit smoking,” she emphasized.
Yves Martinet, president of the French National Committee against Smoking, expressed that the results were unsurprising but troubling. “It’s a real scandal that the care provided to these young women regarding smoking is inadequate when it should be systematic, even before pregnancy,” he stated.
The Public Health France report also examined alcohol consumption during pregnancy, finding that 7% of women with young children reported drinking alcohol during their last pregnancy, an improvement over 2017 figures. Combot pointed out that many women who consume alcohol are not addicted, in contrast to cigarette smoking.
Public Health France underscored the necessity of ongoing prevention and support for women struggling with substance use during pregnancy. “The number of affected women and children is significant,” the agency noted, adding that survey data often underestimates the true extent of smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
