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Smoking in Pregnancy Hits Record Low!
19 Jun
Summary
- Pregnancy smoking rates hit a record low of 4.7% in Hull, East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and North Lincolnshire.
- This marks a significant decrease from 8.3% in the previous year, saving 541 women from smoking at delivery.
- National support models introduced in 2022 have been credited with this substantial public health improvement.
Official NHS data reveals a significant achievement in public health, with smoking rates among pregnant women in Hull, East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and North Lincolnshire reaching an all-time low. For the 2025/2026 period, only 4.7% of expectant mothers were smokers at the time of delivery. This figure represents a substantial decrease from 8.3% in the preceding year, resulting in 541 fewer women smoking when giving birth.
The positive trend is attributed to a national model introduced in 2022. This initiative trained midwifery staff to offer comprehensive support and access to medications to aid pregnant women in quitting smoking. Nationally, 4.3% of pregnant women in England were smokers at delivery in 2025/2026, a marked improvement from 10.5% in 2016.
Despite these encouraging statistics, 600 expectant mothers across Yorkshire and the Humber still smoke during pregnancy. Health officials emphasize the need for continued efforts to ensure all pregnant women have access to expert cessation support and to dissuade young people from tobacco addiction. Smoking during pregnancy poses serious risks, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and sudden infant death, and can lead to long-term health issues for children.
