Shocking figures on pregnancy smoking

Data shows Hillingdon has one of highest rates

RESEARCH has revealed Hillingdon has one of the highest rates of women who smoke while pregnant.

Figures show 7.1 per cent of mums-to-be in the borough still spark up despite the well known health risks it causes them and their unborn child – placing it sixth in London overall.

At the other end of the scale, expectant mums in Hammersmith & Fulham, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster mums are the least likely to smoke in the capital.

That meant Hillingdon was the only west London borough to come in over the London average of 4.9 per cent. However, its figures are way below the national average of 10.6% and below the national target of 11 per cent.

The results were put together by vapourlites. com, which reveal an average of 4.9 per cent pregnant London women were recorded as smokers at time of delivery.

Claiming the unwanted top spot for London is Barking & Dagenham and Greenwich, which both had figures of 8.6 per cent.

With Hillingdon coming in at six, the next west London boroughs on the list are Brent and Harrow with 3.9 per cent.

Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond (all 2.5 per cent) and Westminster (1.5 per cent) come bottom of the poll.

Analysis of the London figures by vapourlites.com also found just over five per cent of pregnant

It’s vital that work continues that pregnant women who smoke are offered support to quit”

women are smokers at their first midwife appointment, with this only dropping by 0.2 per cent to 4.9 per cent at the time of birth.

This shows only a fraction of expectant mums quit smoking after discovering their pregnancy despite the health warnings.

Amanda Sandford from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) group said: “Smoking during pregnancy reduces foetal growth and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and cot deaths. Although there has been significant progress in reducing the rates of smoking during pregnancy, it’s vital that pregnant women who smoke are offered support to quit.”

The findings can be found at www.vapourlites. com/ blog/ london- mumst o - b e - l e s s - l i ke ly - t o - smoke.html