It is estimated that smoking during pregnancy is causing over 2,000 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 stillbirths every year
Tens of thousands of pregnant women are still putting their babies at risk by smoking, new figures show.
Every year more than 70,000 pregnancies are affected by mums-to-be smoking, research reveals.
Tragically, it is estimated that smoking during pregnancy is causing around 2,200 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 stillbirths every year.
And a coalition of health groups and charities will today demand the Government takes urgent action to halve rates of smoking in pregnancy.
The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group is also calling for the gap to be narrowed in smoking rates between the rich and the poor.
The smoking in pregnancy rate has now fallen below 11% across England but “shocking” variations remain.
The most recent figures suggest that 2.1% of women were still smoking by the time their baby was born compared with 27.2%
Some regions do not ask whether women smoke in pregnancy or collect full data.
The smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group is made up of 20 organisations including Action on Smoking and Health, Bliss, the Faculty of Public Health, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing.
The Lullaby Trust, Tommy’s and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Rcog) are also involved.
