Charity plea to target pregnant smokers

A cancer charity has called on the Scottish Government to make helping pregnant women stop smoking a key focus of its new tobacco control strategy.

Cancer Research UK said ensuring expectant mothers can access local stop smoking services gives them the best chance of quitting.

The call follows the publication of official statistics showing the number of women in Scotland smoking at the time of their first antenatal appointment has fallen to 15% in 2016/17, a total of 7,809 women and a drop of nearly a third (29%) since 1997/98.

Cancer Research UK’s prevention expert, Professor Linda Bauld, said: “It’s encouraging to see the number of mumsto-be who smoke gradually declining in Scotland.

“However, the decline has been slow and there are big differences between groups, with smoking rates higher among teenage mums and women from more deprived areas.”

The Stirling University academic added: “Stopping smoking helps reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy, and the likelihood of stillbirths or cot death.

“And it also reduces the risk of smoking-related cancers later in a mother’s life.

“The Scottish Government is due to release a new tobacco control strategy next year and helping more women to quit smoking while they are pregnant needs to be a key focus. In particular, we need to do all we can to make sure pregnant women can access local stop smoking services.

“These services offer women the best chance of kicking the habit, including supporting women who have tried other options and may consider using an e-cigarette in their quit attempt.”

Prof Linda Bauld wants more targeted action.