The prevalence of maternal smoking across the United Kingdom has seen a slight downturn recently, with figures showing a decrease from 9.1 per cent during the three months leading up to September 2022-23 to a lower 7.5 per cent in the corresponding period of 2023-24. Despite this improvement, the national objective of reducing the figure to 6 per cent remains unmet. According to Action on Smoking and Health, the Government is not on track to achieve this target until approximately 2032.
Statistics from NHS Digital provide a closer look at local trends. In Oxfordshire, 96 pregnant smokers were recorded at the time of delivery during the three months leading into September 2023. This group accounted for 6.1 per cent of the 1,634 mothers recorded in the former NHS Oxfordshire CCG area, representing a small increase from 5.7 per cent during the same period in 2022-23.
Across England, 22 of the 106 sub-integrated care boards succeeded in meeting the national target of maintaining 6 per cent or fewer pregnant smokers. This is a notable improvement compared to the previous year, when only nine boards achieved this benchmark. Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health, noted that the next decade would be decisive in reducing these rates, projecting that the current government target may take until 2032 to be fully realised.
Regional variations remain prominent, with the North East and Yorkshire reporting the highest maternal smoking rate of 10.1 per cent. Meanwhile, London reported the lowest rate at 3.8 per cent, and the South East recorded 7.1 per cent.
The health risks associated with maternal smoking, including an increased likelihood of stillbirth, miscarriage, and birth defects, highlight the importance of robust support systems for expectant mothers striving to quit smoking. In line with this, the previous year saw an expansion of stop-smoking support services within maternity care. These efforts will be complemented by a new national financial incentive scheme aimed at pregnant smokers and their partners, which is expected to roll out this year.
Ms. Cheeseman underscored the necessity of addressing disparities in maternal smoking rates across regions while also tackling high rates of postnatal relapse into smoking. These steps, she argues, are essential to achieving long-term reductions in smoking during and after pregnancy.
Victoria Atkins, Health and Social Care Secretary, commended the recent drop in maternal smoking rates, reaffirming the government’s commitment to aiding pregnant women in quitting. The proposed strategy includes financial incentives, such as vouchers, coupled with behavioural support, which will be accessible to all pregnant smokers by the end of 2024.
In addition to this targeted support for mothers, England’s broader anti-smoking strategy proposes new legislation to prevent children born on or after 1 January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes. These measures contribute to the government’s ambition to achieve a smokefree England by 2030.
For those in Wantage and the surrounding areas, local resources, health support, and community initiatives can often be found through our Health Care Directory. Further resources and support groups on related health matters can also be discovered through our Support Groups.
Interested in hosting health-related or community events? You can submit your event details here.
