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| Regional divide in smoking in pregnancy | Regional divide in smoking in pregnancy |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The latest figures indicate big regional differences in the proportion of women smoking during pregnancy, with rates much higher in poorer areas. | The latest figures indicate big regional differences in the proportion of women smoking during pregnancy, with rates much higher in poorer areas. |
| They suggest 27.2% of mothers-to-be in Blackpool smoke throughout pregnancy compared with 2.1% in Westminster. | They suggest 27.2% of mothers-to-be in Blackpool smoke throughout pregnancy compared with 2.1% in Westminster. |
| And, each year, more than 70,000 pregnancies are affected by smoking. | And, each year, more than 70,000 pregnancies are affected by smoking. |
| The overall rate has fallen to below 11% in England, but the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group report urges a national target of below 6% by 2020. | The overall rate has fallen to below 11% in England, but the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group report urges a national target of below 6% by 2020. |
| Each year, smoking during pregnancy in the UK causes an estimated: | Each year, smoking during pregnancy in the UK causes an estimated: |
| Poorer communities | Poorer communities |
| Prof Russel Viner, at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "We know that smoking rates among teenage mothers-to-be remain considerably higher than the rest of the population. | Prof Russel Viner, at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "We know that smoking rates among teenage mothers-to-be remain considerably higher than the rest of the population. |
| "They are almost six times as likely to smoke throughout pregnancy as women who are over 35. | "They are almost six times as likely to smoke throughout pregnancy as women who are over 35. |
| "We also know that there are big regional variations, with rates much higher in poorer communities. | "We also know that there are big regional variations, with rates much higher in poorer communities. |
| "We cannot be complacent." | "We cannot be complacent." |
| The group of 20 organisations includes Action on Smoking and Health, Bliss, the Faculty of Public Health, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing. | The group of 20 organisations includes Action on Smoking and Health, Bliss, the Faculty of Public Health, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing. |
| Action on Smoking and Health chief executive Deborah Arnott said: "The government must maintain a strong commitment to tackling smoking among pregnant women." | Action on Smoking and Health chief executive Deborah Arnott said: "The government must maintain a strong commitment to tackling smoking among pregnant women." |
| Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Dr David Richmond said: "Stopping smoking is the most important thing a pregnant woman can do to improve her baby's health, growth and development and reduce unnecessary pregnancy complications." | Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Dr David Richmond said: "Stopping smoking is the most important thing a pregnant woman can do to improve her baby's health, growth and development and reduce unnecessary pregnancy complications." |
| Have you smoked during your pregnancy? Did you receive help to stop smoking? Email your story to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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